Herbicide-resistant hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenases

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to method for producing a transgenic plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant, comprising transforming a plant cell or a plant cell nucleus or a plant tissue with a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mutated HPPD polypeptide, as well as to the nucleic acid, and plants with increased HPPD-inhibiting herbicide tolerance or resistance comprising the nucleic acid of the invention.

This application claims priority from US application No: U.S. 62/114,618 filed on Feb. 11, 2015, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase mutants (mutated HPPD) which are able to confer resistance to herbicides, as well as polynucleotides encoding these enzymes. The invention also relates to transgenic plants producing these enzymes which are resistant and/or tolerant to herbicide activity, when treated therewith, seeds of such plants and methods of using such plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Herbicides that inhibit 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD; EC 1.13.11.27), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the prenylquinones plastoquinone and tocopherols, have been used for selective weed control since the early 1990s. They block the conversion of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to homogentisate in the biosynthetic pathway (Matringe et al., 2005, Pest Manag Sci., vol. 61:269-276; Mitchell et al., 2001, Pest Manag Sci. vol 57:120-128). Plastoquinone is thought to be a necessary cofactor of the enzyme phytoene desaturase in carotenoid biosynthesis (Boeger and Sandmann, 1998, Pestic Outlook, vol 9:29-35). Its inhibition results in the depletion of the plant plastoquinone and vitamin E pools, leading to bleaching symptoms. The loss of carotenoids, particularly in their function as protectors of the photosystems against photooxidation, leads to oxidative degradation of chlorophyll and photosynthetic membranes in growing shoot tissues. Consequently, chloroplast synthesis and function are disturbed (Boeger and Sandmann, 1998). The most important chemical classes of commercial 4-HPPD-inhibiting herbicides include pyrazolones, triketones and isoxazoles. The inhibitors mimic the binding of the substrate 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to an enzyme-bound ferrous ion in the active site by forming a stable ion-dipole charge transfer complex. Among 4-HPPD-inhibiting herbicides, the triketone sulcotrione was the first example of this herbicide group to be used in agriculture and identified in its mechanism of action (Schulz et al., 1993, FEBS Lett. Vol 318:162-166) The triketones have been reported to be derivatives of leptospermone, a herbicidal component from the bottlebrush plant, Callistemon spp (Lee et al. 1997, Weed Sci. Vol 45, 162-166).

Three main strategies are available for making plants tolerant to herbicides, i.e. (1) detoxifying the herbicide with an enzyme which transforms the herbicide, or its active metabolite, into non-toxic products, such as, for example, the enzymes for tolerance to bromoxynil or to Basta (EP242236, EP337899); (2) mutating the target enzyme into a functional enzyme which is less sensitive to the herbicide, or to its active metabolite, such as, for example, the enzymes for tolerance to glyphosate (EP293356, Padgette S. R. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 266, 33, 1991); or (3) overexpressing the sensitive enzyme so as to produce quantities of the target enzyme in the plant which are sufficient in relation to the herbicide, in view of the kinetic constants of this enzyme, so as to have enough of the functional enzyme available despite the presence of its inhibitor. The third strategy was described for successfully obtaining plants which were tolerant to HPPD inhibitors (WO96/38567). US2009/0172831 discloses nucleotide sequences encoding amino acid sequences having enzymatic activity such that the amino acid sequences are resistant to HPPD inhibitor herbicidal chemicals, in particular triketone inhibitor specific HPPD mutants.

To date, the prior art has not described HPPD-inhibiting herbicide tolerant plants containing microorganism-derived mutated HPPD nucleic acid according to the present invention. What are also needed in the art are crop plants and crop plants having increased tolerance to herbicides such as HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and containing the microorganism-derived mutated HPPD nucleic acid according to the present invention. Also needed are methods for controlling weed growth in the vicinity of such crop plants or crop plants. These compositions and methods would allow for the use of spray over techniques when applying herbicides to areas containing crop plant or crop plants

The present inventors have characterized various microorganism and plant species utilizing a mechanism of conferring resistance or tolerance to herbicides. Furthermore, the inventors have generated and characterized the novel herbicide-resistance conferring mutated HPPD from these microorganisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Amino acid sequence alignment of HPPD enzymes from Arabidopsis thalliana (Arabidopsis), Hellianthus annus (Helianthus), Hordeum vulgare (Hordeum), Scenedesmus obliquus (Scenedesmus), Lemna paucicosata (Lemna), Belliella baltica (Belliella), Nitritalea haalkaliphilla (Nitritalea), Pontibacter sp. (Pontibacter), Ferroplasma acidarmanus (Ferroplasma), Microscilla marina (Microscilla), Algoriphagus machipongonensis (Algoriphagus), Frankia sp. (Frankia), Herpetosiphon aurantiacus (Herpetosiphon), Mucilaginibacterpaudis (Mucilaginibacter), Acidobacterium capsulatum (Acidobacterium) and Geodermatophilus obscurus (Geodermatophilus). Conserved regions are indicated in light grey and black.

FIG. 2 shows a vector map of a plant transformation vector that is used for soybean transformation with HPPD sequences.

FIG. 3 shows transgenic T1 Arabdiopsis plants treated with the indicated spray rate (g ai/ha) of [3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl)-2-methyl-4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl]-(5-hydroxy-1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone herbicide. Wildtype plants were sprayed in parallel at each application rate (two lower pots below dashed line) whereas T1 plants are represented by the five upper pots. Pictures were taken 8 days after treatment.

FIG. 4 shows a herbicide spray test with transgenic T2 Arabidopsis plants expressing mutated variants of Scenedesmus HPPD. Non-transgenic control plants were treated in parallel and pictures taken 14 days after treatment. Plants were sprayed with different concentrations of [3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl)-2-methyl-4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl]-(5-hydroxy-1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone (Inhibitor 1), 2-(4-methylsulfonyl-2-nitro-benzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (Inhibitor 2), 2,4-dichloro-6-fluoro-3-methylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide (Inhibitor 7) and 2-chloro-3-methylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (Inhibitor 10).

TABLE 1 KEY TO SEQUENCE LISTING Nucleic Amino acid acid SEQ SEQ Organism ID NO: ID NO: Accession Scenedesmus obliquus 1 2 Scenedesmus obliquus [short] 3 4 Helianthus WT 5 6 Helianthus mutant 7 8 Lemna 9 10 Belliella 11 12 I3Z863_BELBD Nitritalea 13 14 I5C6V4_9BACT Pontibacter 15 16 J1FG23_9BACT Ferroplasma 17 18 ZP_05569916 Microscilla 19 20 A1ZF21_9BACT Algoriphagus 21 22 A3HSH6_9BACT Frankia 23 24 A8L2Y6_FRASN Herpetosiphon 25 26 A9B1W0_HERA2 Mucilaginibacter 27 28 H1Y6Y7_9SPHI Acidobacterium 29 30 C1F681_ACIC5 Geodermatophilus 31 32 D2SEF7_GEOOG Scenedesmus codon-optimized 33 Scenedesmus short codon- 34 optimized Lemna codon-optimized 35 Scenedesmus codon-E. coli 36 expression Helianthus codon E. coli 37 expression Helianthus mutant codon E. coli 38 expression Hordeum vulgare 39 40 Arabidopsis thaliana 41 42

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing a plant having an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding wild type plant whereby the method comprises at least the following step: increasing or generating in a plant the activity of a transgenic mutated HPPD polypeptide, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

Accordingly, the invention provides a transgenic plant that over-expresses a mutated HPPD polynucleotide as defined herein, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, in the sub-cellular compartment and tissue as indicated herein. The transgenic plant of the invention demonstrates an improved or increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a wild type variety of the plant.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method for producing a plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding wild type plant comprising at least one of the steps selected from the group consisting of: (i) increasing or generating the activity of a mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof; or (ii) increasing or generating the activity of an expression product of one or more isolated polynucleotide(s) comprising one or more polynucleotide(s) comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

The invention further provides an isolated and/or recombinantly produced nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of:

-   (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding the mutated HPPD polypeptide     comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10,     12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a     functional equivalent thereof; -   (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a variant of the sequence of     SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or     31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, -   (c) a nucleic acid molecule, which, as a result of the degeneracy of     the genetic code, can be derived from a mutated HPPD polypeptide     sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,     26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof,     and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared     to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a     plant or a part thereof; -   (d) a nucleic acid molecule having 30% or more identity, preferably     40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%,     99.5%, or more with the nucleic acid molecule sequence of a     polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO: 1,     3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora     homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and confers increased     herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding,     e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant or a part     thereof; -   (e) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having 30% or     more identity, preferably at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%,     85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or more, with the amino     acid sequence of the mutated HPPD polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:     2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, and     confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to     a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant     or a part thereof; -   (f) nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes with a nucleic acid     molecule of (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) under stringent hybridization     conditions and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance,     as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type     plant cell, a plant or a part thereof;

In a preferred embodiment, the encoded mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 comprising one or more of the following substitutions: the amino acid corresponding to or at position 30 is other than proline, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 39 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 54 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 57 is other than Met, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 84 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 210 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 212 is other than Asn, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 223 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 243 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 247 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 249 is other than Ser, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 264 is other than Asn, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 291 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 306 is other than His, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is other than Gin, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 319 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is other than Lys, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 327 is other than Arg, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 331 is other than Lys, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 341 is other than Trp, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 342 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 363 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 373 is other than Ile, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 374 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is other than Ile, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 379 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 405 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 407 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 410 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 412 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 414 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 419 is other than Ile, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 421 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 422 is other than Tyr.

The invention further provides a method for increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance of a crop plant, the method comprising the following steps: (i) increasing or generating of the expression of at least one polynucleotide; and/or (ii) increasing or generating the expression of an expression product encoded by at least one polynucleotide; and/or (iii) increasing or generating one or more activities of an expression product encoded by at least one polynucleotide, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of:

-   (a) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide encoding the     mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ     ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or     32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof; -   (b) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide comprising a     variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17,     19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof; -   (c) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide, which, as a     result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from a     mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ     ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or     32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof and confers an     increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a     corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a     transgenic plant or a part thereof; -   (d) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide having 30% or more     identity, for example 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%,     or 99% (percent) or more identity with the sequence of a     polynucleotide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1,     3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora     homolog or a functional equivalent thereof and conferring an     increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a     corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a     transgenic plant or a part thereof; -   (e) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide encoding a     polypeptide having 30% or more identity, for example 50%, 60%, 70%,     80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% or more identity with the amino     acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the isolated     polynucleotide of (a) to (c) and conferring an increased herbicide     tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, e.g.     non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a part     thereof; -   (f) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide which hybridizes     with an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide of (a) to (c)     under stringent hybridization conditions and confers an increased     herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding,     e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a     part thereof;

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a transgenic plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant, comprising transforming a plant cell or a plant cell nucleus or a plant tissue to produce such a plant, with an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

-   (a) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide encoding the     mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ     ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or     32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof; -   (b) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide comprising a     variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17,     19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof; -   (c) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide, which, as a     result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from a     mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ     ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or     32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof and confers an     increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a     corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a     transgenic plant or a part thereof; -   (d) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide having 30 or more,     for example 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99%     (percent) or more identity with the sequence of a polynucleotide     comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,     11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a     functional equivalent thereof and conferring an increased herbicide     tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, e.g.     non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a part     thereof; -   (e) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide encoding a     polypeptide having 30 or more, for example 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%,     90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% or more identity with the amino acid     sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the isolated polynucleotide     of (a) to (c) and conferring an increased herbicide tolerance or     resistance as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed,     wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a part thereof; -   (f) an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide which hybridizes     with an isolated and/or recombinant polynucleotide of (a) to (c)     under stringent hybridization conditions and confers an increased     herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding,     e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a     part thereof;

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for controlling undesired vegetation at a plant cultivation site, the method comprising the steps of:

-   a) providing, at said site, a plant that comprises at least one     nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mutated     HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:     2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a     homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, which is resistant or     tolerant to a HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and/or -   b) applying to said site an effective amount of said herbicide.

In another embodiment, the invention refers to a method for growing the plant according to the present invention while controlling weeds in the vicinity of said plant, said method comprising the steps of:

-   a) growing said plant; and -   b) applying a herbicide composition comprising a HPPD-inhibiting     herbicide to the plant and weeds, wherein the herbicide normally     inhibits hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, at a level of the     herbicide that would inhibit the growth of a corresponding wild-type     plant.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a combination useful for weed control, comprising (a) a polynucleotide encoding mutated HPPD polypeptide according to the present invention, which polynucleotide is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) a HPPD inhibiting herbicide.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing a combination useful for weed control comprising (a) providing a polynucleotide encoding mutated HPPD polypeptide according to the present invention, which polynucleotide is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) providing a HPPD inhibiting herbicide.

In a preferred embodiment, said step of providing a polynucleotide comprises providing a plant containing the polynucleotide.

In another preferred embodiment, said step of providing a polynucleotide comprises providing a seed containing the polynucleotide.

In another preferred embodiment, said process further comprises a step of applying the HPPD inhibiting herbicide to the seed.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a combination useful for weed control, comprising (a) a polynucleotide encoding a mutated HPPD polypeptide according to the present invention, which polynucleotide is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) a HPPD inhibiting herbicide, to control weeds at a plant cultivation site.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Definition Collection

An “herbicide tolerance or resistance-increasing activity” according to the invention refers to an activity of a mutated HPPD from a microorganism or plant comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. A polypeptide conferring a herbicide tolerance or resistance-increasing activity can be encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and/or comprises or consists of a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

A “transgenic plant”, as used herein, refers to a plant which contains a foreign nucleotide sequence inserted into either its nuclear genome or organelle genome. It encompasses further the offspring generations i.e. the T1-, T2- and consecutively generations or BC1-, BC2- and consecutively generation as well as crossbreeds thereof with non-transgenic or other transgenic plants.

A modification, i.e. an increase, can be caused by endogenous or exogenous factors. For example, an increase in activity in an organism or a part thereof can be caused by adding a gene product or a precursor or an activator or an agonist to the media or nutrition or can be caused by introducing said subjects into a organism, transient or stable. Furthermore such an increase can be reached by the introduction of the inventive nucleic acid sequence or the encoded protein in the correct cell compartment for example into the nucleus or cytoplasmic respectively or into plastids either by transformation and/or targeting.

For the purposes of the description of the present invention, the terms “cytoplasmic” and “non-targeted” shall indicate, that the nucleic acid of the invention is expressed without the addition of a non-natural transit peptide encoding sequence. A non-natural transit peptide encoding sequence is a sequence which is not a natural part of a nucleic acid of the invention, e.g. of the nucleic acids depicted in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, but is rather added by molecular manipulation steps which are well known to the person skilled in the art or as for example described hereinafter. Therefore the terms “cytoplasmic” and “non-targeted” shall not exclude a targeted localization to any cell compartment for the products of the inventive nucleic acid sequences by their naturally occurring sequence properties within the background of the transgenic organism. The sub-cellular location of the mature polypeptide derived from the enclosed sequences can be predicted by a skilled person for the organism (plant) by using software tools like TargetP (Emanuelsson et al., (2000), Predicting sub-cellular localization of proteins based on their N-terminal amino acid sequence. J. Mol. Biol. 300, 1005-1016), ChloroP (Emanuelsson et al. (1999), ChloroP, a neural network-based method for predicting chloroplast transit peptides and their cleavage sites. Protein Science, 8: 978-984) or other predictive software tools (Emanuelsson et al. (2007), locating proteins in the cell using TargetP, SignalP, and related tools (Nature Protocols 2, 953-971).

The term “organelle” according to the invention shall mean for example “mitochondria”, “plastid” or endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The term “plastid” according to the invention is intended to include various forms of plastids including proplastids, chloroplasts, chromoplasts, gerontoplasts, leucoplasts, amyloplasts, elaioplasts and etioplasts, preferably chloroplasts. They all have as a common ancestor the aforementioned proplasts.

The term “introduced” in the context of this specification shall mean the insertion of a nucleic acid sequence into the organism by means of a “transfection”, “transduction” or preferably by “transformation”.

A plastid, such as a chloroplast, has been “transformed” by an exogenous (preferably foreign) nucleic acid sequence if nucleic acid sequence has been introduced into the plastid that means that this sequence has crossed the membrane or the membranes of the plastid.

The foreign DNA may be integrated (covalently linked) into plastid DNA making up the genome of the plastid, or it may remain not integrated (e.g., by including a chloroplast origin of replication). “Stably” integrated DNA sequences are those, which are inherited through plastid replication, thereby transferring new plastids, with the features of the integrated DNA sequence to the progeny.

As used herein, “plant” is meant to include not only a whole plant but also a part thereof i.e., one or more cells, and tissues, including for example, leaves, stems, shoots, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds.

The term “herbicide tolerance or resistance” as used herein it is intended that a plant that is tolerant or resistant to at least one herbicide at a level that would normally kill, or inhibit the growth of, a normal or wild-type plant.

Any increase in herbicide tolerance or resistance is an improved herbicide tolerance or resistance in accordance with the invention. For example, the improvement in herbicide tolerance or resistance can comprise a 1.5×, 2×, 2.5×, 3×, 5×, 10×, 20×, 30×, 40×, 50×, 75×, 100×, 150×, 200× or greater increase in any measurable parameter, e.g. an increased tolerance factor as shown in the Examples (Table 7).

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “polynucleotides”, “nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule” are interchangeably in the present context. Unless otherwise specified, the terms “peptide”, “polypeptide” and “protein” are interchangeably in the present context. The term “sequence” may relate to polynucleotides, nucleic acids, nucleic acid molecules, peptides, polypeptides and proteins, depending on the context in which the term “sequence” is used. The terms “gene(s)”, “polynucleotide”, “nucleic acid sequence”, “nucleotide sequence”, or “nucleic acid molecule(s)” as used herein refers to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides. The terms “gene(s)”, “polynucleotide”, “nucleic acid sequence”, “nucleotide sequence”, or “nucleic acid molecule(s)” as used herein include known types of modifications, for example, methylation, “caps”, substitutions of one or more of the naturally occurring nucleotides with an analogue. Preferably, the DNA or RNA sequence comprises a coding sequence encoding the herein defined polypeptide.

As also used herein, the terms “nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule” are intended to include DNA molecules (e.g. cDNA or genomic DNA) and RNA molecules (e.g. mRNA) and analogs of the DNA or RNA generated using nucleotide analogs. The nucleic acid molecule can be single-stranded or double-stranded.

An “isolated” nucleic acid molecule is one that is substantially separated from other nucleic acid molecules, which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid. That means other nucleic acid molecules are present in an amount less than 5% based on weight of the amount of the desired nucleic acid, preferably less than 2% by weight, more preferably less than 1% by weight, most preferably less than 0.5% by weight. Preferably, an “isolated” nucleic acid is free of some of the sequences that naturally flank the nucleic acid (i.e., sequences located at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the nucleic acid) in the genomic DNA of the organism from which the nucleic acid is derived. For example, in various embodiments, the isolated herbicide resistance and/or tolerance related protein encoding nucleic acid molecule can contain less than about 5 kb, 4 kb, 3 kb, 2 kb, 1 kb, 0.5 kb or 0.1 kb of nucleotide sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in genomic DNA of the cell from which the nucleic acid is derived. Moreover, an “isolated” nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA molecule, can be free from some of the other cellular material with which it is naturally associated, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.

A “coding sequence” is a nucleotide sequence, which is transcribed into an RNA, e.g. a regulatory RNA, such as a miRNA, a ta-siRNA, co-suppression molecule, an RNAi, a ribozyme, etc. or into a mRNA which is translated into a polypeptide when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences. The boundaries of the coding sequence are determined by a translation start codon at the 5′-terminus and a translation stop codon at the 3′-terminus. A coding sequence can include, but is not limited to mRNA, cDNA, recombinant nucleotide sequences or genomic DNA, while introns may be present as well under certain circumstances.

As used in the present context a nucleic acid molecule may also encompass the untranslated sequence located at the 3′ and at the 5′ end of the coding gene region, for example 2000, preferably less, e.g. 500, preferably 200, especially preferable 100, nucleotides of the sequence upstream of the 5′ end of the coding region and for example 300, preferably less, e.g. 100, preferably 50, especially preferable 20, nucleotides of the sequence downstream of the 3′ end of the coding gene region.

“Polypeptide” refers to a polymer of amino acid (amino acid sequence) and does not refer to a specific length of the molecule. Thus, peptides and oligopeptides are included within the definition of polypeptide. This term does also refer to or include post-translational modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations and the like. Included within the definition are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids, etc.), polypeptides with substituted linkages, as well as other modifications known in the art, both naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring. An “isolated” polynucleotide or nucleic acid molecule is separated from other polynucleotides or nucleic acid molecules, which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid molecule. An isolated nucleic acid molecule may be a chromosomal fragment of several kb, or preferably, a molecule only comprising the coding region of the gene. Accordingly, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention may comprise chromosomal regions, which are adjacent 5′ and 3′ or further adjacent chromosomal regions, but preferably comprises no such sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule sequence in the genomic or chromosomal context in the organism from which the nucleic acid molecule originates (for example sequences which are adjacent to the regions encoding the 5′- and 3′-UTRs of the nucleic acid molecule). An “isolated” or “purified” polypeptide or biologically active portion thereof is free of some of the cellular material when produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. The language “substantially free of cellular material” includes preparations of a protein in which the polypeptide is separated from some of the cellular components of the cells in which it is naturally or recombinantly produced.

The terms “comprise” or “comprising” and grammatical variations thereof when used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

In accordance with the invention, a protein or polypeptide has the “activity of a HPPD protein if its de novo activity, or its increased expression directly or indirectly leads to and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant and the protein has the above mentioned activity of a HPPD.

Throughout the specification the activity or preferably the biological activity of such a protein or polypeptide or an nucleic acid molecule or sequence encoding such protein or polypeptide is identical or similar if it still has the biological or enzymatic activity of a protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or which has 10% or more of the original enzymatic activity, preferably 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, particularly preferably 60%, 70%, 80% most particularly preferably 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% or more in comparison to a protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

In another embodiment the biological or enzymatic activity of a protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, has 100% or more of the original enzymatic activity, preferably 110%, 120%, 130%, 150%, particularly preferably 150%, 200%, 300% or more in comparison to a protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

The terms “increased”, “raised”, “extended”, “enhanced”, “improved” or “amplified” relate to a corresponding change of a property in a plant, an organism, a part of an organism such as a tissue, seed, root, leave, flower etc. or in a cell and are interchangeable. Preferably, the overall activity in the volume is increased or enhanced in cases if the increase or enhancement is related to the increase or enhancement of an activity of a gene product, independent whether the amount of gene product or the specific activity of the gene product or both is increased or enhanced or whether the amount, stability or translation efficacy of the nucleic acid sequence or gene encoding for the gene product is increased or enhanced.

The terms “increase” include the change of said property in only parts of the subject of the present invention, for example, the modification can be found in compartment of a cell, like a organelle, or in a part of a plant, like tissue, seed, root, leave, flower etc. but is not detectable if the overall subject, i.e. complete cell or plant, is tested. Accordingly, the term “increase” means that the specific activity of an enzyme as well as the amount of a compound or metabolite, e.g. of a polypeptide, a nucleic acid molecule of the invention or an encoding mRNA or DNA, can be increased in a volume. The term “increase” includes, that a compound or an activity, especially an activity, is introduced into a cell, the cytoplasm or a sub-cellular compartment or organelle de novo or that the compound or the activity, especially an activity, has not been detected before, in other words it is “generated”. Accordingly, in the following, the term “increasing” also comprises the term “generating” or “stimulating”.

The increased activity manifests itself in increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof.

Under “change of a property” it is understood that the activity, expression level or amount of a gene product or the metabolite content is changed in a specific volume relative to a corresponding volume of a control, reference or wild type, including the de novo creation of the activity or expression.

“Amount of protein or mRNA” is understood as meaning the molecule number of polypeptides or mRNA molecules in an organism, especially a plant, a tissue, a cell or a cell compartment.

“Increase” in the amount of a protein means the quantitative increase of the molecule number of said protein in an organism, especially a plant, a tissue, a cell or a cell compartment such as an organelle like a plastid or mitochondria or part thereof—for example by one of the methods described herein below—in comparison to a wild type, control or reference.

The increase in molecule number amounts preferably to 1% or more, preferably to 10% or more, more preferably to 30% or more, especially preferably to 50%, 70% or more, very especially preferably to 100%, most preferably to 500% or more. However, a de novo expression is also regarded as subject of the present invention.

The terms “wild type”, “control” or “reference” are exchangeable and can be a cell or a part of organisms such as an organelle like a chloroplast or a tissue, or an organism, in particular a plant, which was not modified or treated according to the herein described process according to the invention. Accordingly, the cell or a part of organisms such as an organelle like a chloroplast or a tissue, or an organism, in particular a plant used as wild type, control or reference corresponds to the cell, organism, plant or part thereof as much as possible and is in any other property but in the result of the process of the invention as identical to the subject matter of the invention as possible. Thus, the wild type, control or reference is treated identically or as identical as possible, saying that only conditions or properties might be different which do not influence the quality of the tested property.

Preferably, any comparison is carried out under analogous conditions. The term “analogous conditions” means that all conditions such as, for example, culture or growing conditions, soil, nutrient, water content of the soil, temperature, humidity or surrounding air or soil, assay conditions (such as buffer composition, temperature, substrates, pathogen strain, concentrations and the like) are kept identical between the experiments to be compared.

The “reference”, “control”, or “wild type” is preferably a subject, e.g. an organelle, a cell, a tissue, an organism, in particular a plant, which was not modified or treated according to the herein described process of the invention and is in any other property as similar to the subject matter of the invention as possible. The reference, control or wild type is in its genome, transcriptome, proteome or metabolome as similar as possible to the subject of the present invention. Preferably, the term “reference-” “control-” or “wild type-”-organelle, -cell, -tissue or -organism, in particular plant, relates to an organelle, cell, tissue or organism, in particular plant, which is nearly genetically identical to the organelle, cell, tissue or organism, in particular plant, of the present invention or a part thereof preferably 90% or more, e.g. 95%, more preferred are 98%, even more preferred are 99.00%, in particular 99.10%, 99.30%, 99.50%, 99.70%, 99.90%, 99.99%, 99.999% or more. Most preferable the “reference”, “control”, or “wild type” is a subject, e.g. an organelle, a cell, a tissue, an organism, in particular a plant, which is genetically identical to the organism, in particular plant, cell, a tissue or organelle used according to the process of the invention except that the responsible or activity conferring nucleic acid molecules or the gene product encoded by them are amended, manipulated, exchanged or introduced according to the inventive process. In case, a control, reference or wild type differing from the subject of the present invention only by not being subject of the process of the invention can not be provided, a control, reference or wild type can be an organism in which the cause for the modulation of an activity conferring the enhanced tolerance or resistance to herbicides as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof or expression of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as described herein has been switched back or off, e.g. by knocking out the expression of responsible gene product, e.g. by antisense or RNAi or miRNA inhibition, by inactivation of an activator or agonist, by activation of an inhibitor or antagonist, by inhibition through adding inhibitory antibodies, by adding active compounds as e.g. hormones, by introducing negative dominant mutants, etc. A gene production can for example be knocked out by introducing inactivating point mutations, which lead to an enzymatic activity inhibition or a destabilization or an inhibition of the ability to bind to cofactors etc. Accordingly, preferred reference subject is the starting subject of the present process of the invention. Preferably, the reference and the subject matter of the invention are compared after standardization and normalization, e.g. to the amount of total RNA, DNA, or protein or activity or expression of reference genes, like housekeeping genes, such as ubiquitin, actin or ribosomal proteins.

The term “expression” refers to the transcription and/or translation of a codogenic gene segment or gene. As a rule, the resulting product is an mRNA or a protein.

The increase or modulation according to this invention can be constitutive, e.g. due to a stable permanent transgenic expression or to a stable mutation in the corresponding endogenous gene encoding the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or to a modulation of the expression or of the behavior of a gene conferring the expression of the polypeptide of the invention, or transient, e.g. due to an transient transformation or temporary addition of a modulator such as a agonist or antagonist or inducible, e.g. after transformation with a inducible construct carrying the nucleic acid molecule of the invention under control of a inducible promoter and adding the inducer, e.g. tetracycline or as described herein below.

Less influence on the regulation of a gene or its gene product is understood as meaning a reduced regulation of the enzymatic activity leading to an increased specific or cellular activity of the gene or its product. An increase of the enzymatic activity is understood as meaning an enzymatic activity, which is increased by 10% or more, advantageously 20%, 30% or 40% or more, especially advantageously by 50%, 60% or 70% or more in comparison with the starting organism. This leads to increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant or part thereof.

The increase in activity of the polypeptide amounts in a cell, a tissue, an organelle, an organ or an organism, preferably a plant, or a part thereof preferably to 5% or more, preferably to 20% or to 50%, especially preferably to 70%, 80%, 90% or more, very especially preferably are to 100%, 150% or 200%, most preferably are to 250% or more in comparison to the control, reference or wild type. In one embodiment the term increase means the increase in amount in relation to the weight of the organism or part thereof (w/w).

By “vectors” is meant with the exception of plasmids all other vectors known to those skilled in the art such as by way of example phages, viruses such as SV40, CMV, baculovirus, adenovirus, transposons, IS elements, phasmids, phagemids, cosmids, linear or circular DNA.

These vectors can be replicated autonomously in the host organism or be chromosomally replicated, chromosomal replication being preferred. As used herein, the term “vector” refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. One type of vector is a “plasmid”, which refers to a circular double stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments can be ligated. Another type of vector is a viral vector, wherein additional DNA segments can be ligated into the viral genome. Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e.g. bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e.g. non-episomal mammalian vectors) are integrated into the genome of a host cell or a organelle upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host or organelle genome. Moreover, certain vectors are capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively linked. Such vectors are referred to herein as “expression vectors.” In general, expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often in the form of plasmids. In the present specification, “plasmid” and “vector” can be used interchangeably as the plasmid is the most commonly used form of vector. However, the invention is intended to include such other forms of expression vectors, such as viral vectors (e.g., replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses, and adenoassociated viruses), which serve equivalent functions.

As used herein, “operatively linked” is intended to mean that the nucleotide sequence of interest is linked to the regulatory sequence(s) in a manner which allows for expression of the nucleotide sequence (e.g. in an in vitro transcription/translation system or in a host cell when the vector is introduced into the host cell). The term “regulatory sequence” is intended to include promoters, enhancers, and other expression control elements (e.g. polyadenylation signals). Such regulatory sequences are described, for example, in Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990), and Gruber and Crosby, in: Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, eds. Glick and Thompson, Chapter 7, 89-108, CRC Press; Boca Raton, Fla., including the references therein. Regulatory sequences include those that direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence in many types of host cells and those that direct expression of the nucleotide sequence only in certain host cells or under certain conditions.

“Transformation” is defined herein as a process for introducing heterologous DNA into a plant cell, plant tissue, or plant. It may occur under natural or artificial conditions using various methods well known in the art. Transformation may rely on any known method for the insertion of foreign nucleic acid sequences into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. The method is selected based on the host cell being transformed and may include, but is not limited to, viral infection, electroporation, lipofection, and particle bombardment. Such “transformed” cells include stably transformed cells in which the inserted DNA is capable of replication either as an autonomously replicating plasmid or as part of the host chromosome. They also include cells which transiently express the inserted DNA or RNA for limited periods of time. Transformed plant cells, plant tissue, or plants are understood to encompass not only the end product of a transformation process, but also transgenic progeny thereof.

The terms “transformed,” “transgenic,” and “recombinant” refer to a host organism such as a bacterium or a plant into which a heterologous nucleic acid molecule has been introduced. The nucleic acid molecule can be stably integrated into the genome of the host or the nucleic acid molecule can also be present as an extra-chromosomal molecule. Such an extra-chromosomal molecule can be auto-replicating. Transformed cells, tissues, or plants are understood to encompass not only the end product of a transformation process, but also transgenic progeny thereof. A “non-transformed”, “non-transgenic” or “non-recombinant” host refers to a wild-type organism, e.g. a bacterium or plant, which does not contain the heterologous nucleic acid molecule.

The terms “host organism”, “host cell”, “recombinant (host) organism” and “transgenic (host) cell” are used here interchangeably. Of course these terms relate not only to the particular host organism or the particular target cell but also to the descendants or potential descendants of these organisms or cells. Since, due to mutation or environmental effects certain modifications may arise in successive generations, these descendants need not necessarily be identical with the parental cell but nevertheless are still encompassed by the term as used here.

For the purposes of the invention “transgenic” or “recombinant” means with regard for example to a nucleic acid sequence, an expression cassette (=gene construct, nucleic acid construct) or a vector containing the nucleic acid sequence according to the invention or an organism transformed by said nucleic acid sequences, expression cassette or vector according to the invention all those constructions produced by genetic engineering methods in which either

-   (a) the nucleic acid sequence comprising a variant of the sequence     of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29,     or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or its     derivatives or parts thereof; or -   (b) a genetic control sequence functionally linked to the nucleic     acid sequence described under (a), for example a 3′- and/or     5′-genetic control sequence such as a promoter or terminator, or -   (c) (a) and (b);

are not found in their natural, genetic environment or have been modified by genetic engineering methods, wherein the modification may by way of example be a substitution, addition, deletion, inversion or insertion of one or more nucleotide residues.

“Natural genetic environment” means the natural genomic or chromosomal locus in the organism of origin or inside the host organism or presence in a genomic library. In the case of a genomic library the natural genetic environment of the nucleic acid sequence is preferably retained at least in part. The environment borders the nucleic acid sequence at least on one side and has a sequence length of at least 50 bp, preferably at least 500 bp, particularly preferably at least 1,000 bp, most particularly preferably at least 5,000 bp. A naturally occurring expression cassette—for example the naturally occurring combination of the natural promoter of the nucleic acid sequence according to the invention with the corresponding gene—turns into a transgenic expression cassette when the latter is modified by unnatural, synthetic (“artificial”) methods such as by way of example a mutagenation. Appropriate methods are described by way of example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,350 or WO 00/15815.

The term “transgenic plants” used in accordance with the invention also refers to the progeny of a transgenic plant, for example the T₁, T₂, T₃ and subsequent plant generations or the BC₁, BC₂, BC₃ and subsequent plant generations. Thus, the transgenic plants according to the invention can be raised and selfed or crossed with other individuals in order to obtain further transgenic plants according to the invention. Transgenic plants may also be obtained by propagating transgenic plant cells vegetatively. The present invention also relates to transgenic plant material, which can be derived from a transgenic plant population according to the invention. Such material includes plant cells and certain tissues, organs and parts of plants in all their manifestations, such as seeds, leaves, anthers, fibers, tubers, roots, root hairs, stems, embryo, calli, cotelydons, petioles, harvested material, plant tissue, reproductive tissue and cell cultures, which are derived from the actual transgenic plant and/or can be used for bringing about the transgenic plant. Any transformed plant obtained according to the invention can be used in a conventional breeding scheme or in in vitro plant propagation to produce more transformed plants with the same characteristics and/or can be used to introduce the same characteristic in other varieties of the same or related species. Such plants are also part of the invention. Seeds obtained from the transformed plants genetically also contain the same characteristic and are part of the invention. As mentioned before, the present invention is in principle applicable to any plant and crop that can be transformed with any of the transformation method known to those skilled in the art.

The term “homology” means that the respective nucleic acid molecules or encoded proteins are functionally and/or structurally equivalent. The nucleic acid molecules that are homologous to the nucleic acid molecules described above and that are derivatives of said nucleic acid molecules are, for example, variations of said nucleic acid molecules which represent modifications having the same biological function, in particular encoding proteins with the same or substantially the same biological function. They may be naturally occurring variations, such as sequences from other plant varieties or species, or mutations. These mutations may occur naturally or may be obtained by mutagenesis techniques. The allelic variations may be naturally occurring allelic variants as well as synthetically produced or genetically engineered variants. Structurally equivalents can, for example, be identified by testing the binding of said polypeptide to antibodies or computer based predictions. Structurally equivalent have the similar immunological characteristic, e.g. comprise similar epitopes.

As used herein, the terms “gene” and “recombinant gene” refer to nucleic acid molecules comprising an open reading frame encoding the polypeptide of the invention or comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or encoding the polypeptide used in the process of the present invention, preferably from a crop plant or from a microorgansim useful for the method of the invention. Such natural variations can typically result in 1 to 5% variance in the nucleotide sequence of the gene. Any and all such nucleotide variations and resulting amino acid polymorphisms in genes encoding a polypeptide of the invention or comprising a the nucleic acid molecule of the invention that are the result of natural variation and that do not alter the functional activity as described are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Specific Embodiments

Accordingly, this invention provides measures and methods to produce plants with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance.

Accordingly, the present invention provides transgenic plants showing increased tolerance or resistance to one or more herbicides as compared to the corresponding origin or the wild type plant and methods for producing such transgenic plants with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance. One or more enhanced herbicide tolerance-related phenotypes are increased in accordance with the invention by increasing or generating the activity of a mutated HPPD enzyme.

The nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or used in accordance with the present invention, encodes a protein conferring an activity of a mutated HPPD enzyme, i.e. conferring herbicide tolerance or resistance to a crop plant while maintaining its enzymatic (HPPD) activity.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide with an herbicide tolerance or resistance-increasing activity which is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and/or which is a protein comprising or consisting of a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

The increase or generation of said “activity” is for example conferred by the increase of activity or of amount in a cell or a part thereof of one or more expression products of said nucleic acid molecule, e.g. proteins, or by de novo expression, i.e. by the generation of said “activity” in the plant.

In one embodiment, said herbicide tolerance or resistance-increasing activity is increased by increasing the amount and/or the specific activity of a mutated HPPD protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a correspondingly non-modified, e.g. a non-transformed, wild type plant is conferred according to method of the invention, by increasing or generating the activity of a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or encoded by the nucleic acid molecule (or gene) comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog of said nucleic acid molecule or polypeptide.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing a plant showing increased or improved herbicide resistance or tolerance as compared to the corresponding origin or wild type plant, by increasing or generating the activity of a mutated HPPD enzyme., e.g. which is conferred by one or more polynucleotide(s) comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or by one or more protein(s), each comprising a polypeptide encoded by one or more nucleic acid sequence(s) comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or by one or more protein(s) each comprising a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and (b) optionally, growing the plant cell, plant or part thereof under conditions which permit the development of the plant cell, the plant or the part thereof, and (c) regenerating a plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant or a part thereof.

Accordingly, in one further embodiment, the said method for producing a plant or a part thereof for the regeneration of said plant, the plant showing an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, said method comprises (i) growing the plant or part thereof together with a, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant under conditions of herbicide treatment; and (ii) selecting a plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant, for example after the, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant shows visual symptoms of deficiency and/or death.

Further, the present invention relates to a method for producing a plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding origin or wild type plant, e.g. a transgenic plant, which comprises: (a) increasing or generating, in a plant cell nucleus, a plant cell, a plant or a part thereof, the activity of a mutated HPPD polypeptide of the present invention, e.g. by the methods mentioned herein; and (b) cultivating or growing the plant cell, the plant or the part thereof under conditions which permit the development of the plant cell, the plant or the part thereof; and (c) recovering a plant from said plant cell nucleus, said plant cell, or said plant part, which shows increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, origin or wild type plant; and (d) optionally, selecting the plant or a part thereof, showing increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, e.g. which shows visual symptoms of deficiency and/or death.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for the identification of a plant with an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance comprising screening a population of one or more plant cell nuclei, plant cells, plant tissues or plants or parts thereof for said “activity”, comparing the level of activity with the activity level in a reference; identifying one or more plant cell nuclei, plant cells, plant tissues or plants or parts thereof with the activity increased compared to the reference, optionally producing a plant from the identified plant cell nuclei, cell or tissue.

In one further embodiment, the present invention also relates to a method for the identification of a plant with an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance comprising screening a population of one or more plant cell nuclei, plant cells, plant tissues or plants or parts thereof for the expression level of an nucleic acid coding for an polypeptide conferring said activity, comparing the level of expression with a reference; identifying one or more plant cell nuclei, plant cells, plant tissues or plants or parts thereof with the expression level increased compared to the reference, optionally producing a plant from the identified plant cell nuclei, cell or tissue.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing a transgenic cell for the regeneration or production of a plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type cell by increasing or generating the activity of an a mutated HPPD polypeptide of the present invention. The cell can be for example a host cell, e.g. a transgenic host cell. A host cell can be for example a microorganism, e.g. derived from fungi or bacteria, or a plant cell particular useful for transformation.

Thus, the present invention fulfills the need to identify new, unique genes capable of conferring increased herbicide tolerance or resistance to plants, upon expression or over-expression of exogenous genes.

Accordingly, the present invention provides novel mutated HPPD enzymes comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

In one embodiment the increase in activity of the polypeptide amounts in an organelle such as a plastid. In another embodiment the increase in activity of the polypeptide amounts in the cytoplasm.

The specific activity of a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or of the polypeptide of the present invention can be tested as described in the examples. In particular, the expression of a protein in question in a cell, e.g. a plant cell in comparison to a control is an easy test and can be performed as described in the state of the art.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the process of the present invention for producing a plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance comprises increasing or generating the activity of a gene product conferring the activity of a mutated HPPD enzyme from a microorganism or its functional equivalent or its homolog, e.g. the increase of

-   (a) a gene product of a gene comprising the nucleic acid molecule     comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,     11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a functional     equivalent or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof; or -   (b) a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide, a consensus sequence or     a polypeptide motif comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID     NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32 or     a functional equivalent or a homologue or functional equivalent     thereof.

Accordingly, an activity of a mutated HPPD polypeptide from a microorganism is increased in one or more specific compartment(s) or organelle(s) of a cell or plant and confers said increased herbicide tolerance or resistance. For example, said activity can be increased in plastids or mitochondria of a plant cell, thus conferring increase of herbicide tolerance or resistance in a corresponding plant.

In one embodiment, an activity conferred by an expression of a gene described herein or its expression product; i.e. by a mutated HPPD polypeptide of the present invention is increased or generated in the plastid.

In one embodiment, an activity conferred by the expression of a gene described herein or its expression product; i.e. by a mutated HPPD polypeptide of the present invention is increased or generated in the mitochondria.

In one embodiment, an activity conferred by the expression of a gene described herein or its expression product; i.e. by a mutated HPPD polypeptide of the present invention is increased or generated in the cytoplasm.

In one embodiment, an activity conferred by the expression of a gene described herein or its expression product; i.e. by a mutated HPPD polypeptide of the present invention is increased or generated in the endoplasmic reticulum.

As the terms “cytoplasmic” and “non-targeted” shall not exclude a targeted localisation to any cell compartment for the products of the inventive nucleic acid sequences by their naturally occurring sequence properties within the background of the transgenic organism, in one embodiment, an activity as disclosed herein as being conferred by a polypeptide shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof is increase or generated non-targeted. For the purposes of the description of the present invention, the term “cytoplasmic” shall indicate, that the nucleic acid of the invention is expressed without the addition of a non-natural transit peptide encoding sequence. A non-natural transient peptide encoding sequence is a sequence which is not a natural part of a nucleic acid of the invention but is rather added by molecular manipulation steps which are well-known to the person skilled in the art. Therefore the term “cytoplasmic” shall not exclude a targeted localisation to any cell compartment for the products of the inventive nucleic acid sequences by their naturally occurring sequence properties.

In another embodiment the present invention is related to a method for producing a, e.g. transgenic, plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, or a part thereof, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant, which comprises

-   (a1) increasing or generating the activity of a mutated HPPD     polypeptide, e.g. the activity of said gene or the gene product     gene, in an organelle of a plant cell, or -   (a2) increasing or generating the activity of a protein comprising a     variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,     18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof or as encoded by the nucleic acid sequences     comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,     11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a     functional equivalent thereof, and which is joined to a nucleic acid     sequence encoding a transit peptide in the plant cell; or -   (a3) increasing or generating the activity of a protein comprising a     variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,     18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof or as encoded by the nucleic acid sequences     comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,     11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a     functional equivalent thereof, and which is joined to a nucleic acid     sequence encoding an organelle localization sequence, especially a     chloroplast localization sequence, in a plant cell, -   (a4) increasing or generating the activity of a protein comprising a     variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,     18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof or as encoded by the nucleic acid sequences     comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,     11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a     functional equivalent thereof, and which is joined to a nucleic acid     sequence encoding an mitochondrion localization sequence in a plant     cell, -   and -   (b) regererating a plant from said plant cell; -   (c) growing the plant under conditions which permit the development     of a plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as     compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant.

The skilled worker is able to link transit peptide nucleic acid sequences to the nucleic acid sequences comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

Any transit peptide may be used in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention. For example, specific nucleic acid sequences are encoding transit peptides are disclosed by von Heijne et al. (Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 9 (2), 104, (1991)) or other transit peptides are disclosed by Schmidt et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 268 (36), 27447 (1993)), Della-Cioppa et al. (Plant. Physiol. 84, 965 (1987)), de Castro Silva Filho et al. (Plant Mol. Biol. 30, 769 (1996)), Zhao et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 270 (11), 6081(1995)), Romer et al. (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 196 (3), 1414 (1993)), Keegstra et al. (Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 40, 471(1989)), Lubben et al. (Photosynthesis Res. 17, 173 (1988)) and Lawrence et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 272 (33), 20357 (1997)), which are hereby incorporated by reference. A general review about targeting is disclosed by Kermode Allison R. in Critical Reviews in Plant Science 15 (4), 285 (1996) under the title “Mechanisms of Intracellular Protein Transport and Targeting in Plant Cells”.

Additional nucleic acid sequences encoding a transit peptide can be isolated from any organism such as microorganisms, algae or plants containing plastids, preferably containing chloroplasts. A “transit peptide” is an amino acid sequence, whose encoding nucleic acid sequence is translated together with the corresponding structural gene. That means the transit peptide is an integral part of the translated protein and forms an amino terminal extension of the protein. Both are translated as so called “pre-protein”. In general the transit peptide is cleaved off from the pre-protein during or just after import of the protein into the correct cell organelle such as a plastid to yield the mature protein. The transit peptide ensures correct localization of the mature protein by facilitating the transport of proteins through intracellular membranes.

For example, such transit peptides, which are beneficially used in the inventive process, are derived from the nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase, acetolactate synthase, chloroplast ribosomal protein CS17, Cs protein, ferredoxin, plastocyanin, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activase, tryptophan synthase, acyl carrier protein, plastid chaperonin-60, cytochrome c₅₅₂, 22-kDA heat shock protein, 33-kDa Oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 1, ATP synthase γ subunit, ATP synthase δ subunit, chlorophyll-a/b-binding proteinII-1, Oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 2, Oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 3, photosystem I: P21, photosystem I: P28, photosystem I: P30, photosystem I: P35, photosystem I: P37, glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases, chlorophyll a/b binding protein, CAB2 protein, hydroxymethyl-bilane synthase, pyruvate-orthophosphate dikinase, CAB3 protein, plastid ferritin, ferritin, early light-inducible protein, glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase, protochlorophyllide reductase, starch-granule-bound amylase synthase, light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II, major pollen allergen Lol p 5a, plastid ClpB ATP-dependent protease, superoxide dismutase, ferredoxin NADP oxidoreductase, 28-kDa ribonucleoprotein, 31-kDa ribonucleoprotein, 33-kDa ribonucleoprotein, acetolactate synthase, ATP synthase CF₀ subunit 1, ATP synthase CF₀ subunit 2, ATP synthase CF₀ subunit 3, ATP synthase CF₀ subunit 4, cytochrome f, ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase, glutamine synthase, glutamine synthase 2, carbonic anhydrase, GapA protein, heat-shock-protein hsp21, phosphate translocator, plastid ClpA ATP-dependent protease, plastid ribosomal protein CL24, plastid ribosomal protein CL9, plastid ribosomal protein PsCL18, plastid ribosomal protein PsCL25, DAHP synthase, starch phosphorylase, root acyl carrier protein II, betaine-aldehyde dehydrogenase, GapB protein, glutamine synthetase 2, phosphoribulokinase, nitrite reductase, ribosomal protein L12, ribosomal protein L13, ribosomal protein L21, ribosomal protein L35, ribosomal protein L40, triose phosphate-3-phosphoglyerate-phosphate translocator, ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADP-dependent malic enzyme and NADP-malate dehydrogenase, chloroplast 30S ribosomal protein PSrp-1, and the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid sequences of the present invention are linked to a nucleic acid encoding a so-called “signal sequence peptide”. For the purposes of the present invention, “signal sequence peptide” refers to amino acid sequences of about 15 to about 50 amino acids in length which are known in the art to be generally located at the amino terminus of proteins and which are capable of targeting said proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum. The core of the signal peptide contains a long stretch of hydrophobic amino acids that has a tendency to form a single alpha-helix. In addition, many signal peptides begin with a short positively charged stretch of amino acids, which may help to enforce proper topology of the polypeptide during translocation by what is known as the positive-inside rule. At the end of the signal peptide there is typically a stretch of amino acids that is recognized and cleaved by signal peptidase. However this cleavage site is absent from transmembrane-domains that serve as signal peptides, which are sometimes referred to as signal anchor sequences. Signal peptidase may cleave during, or after completion of, translocation to generate a free signal peptide and a mature protein. The free signal peptides are then digested by specific proteases. Those skilled in the art would readily appreciate that many signal sequence peptides are known (van Heijne, G., J. Mol. Biol. 184: 99-105 (1985)) and that these peptide sequences or analogues thereof can be easily substituted as long as they fulfill the requirements for a signal peptide as described above.

The skilled worker will recognize that various other nucleic acid sequences encoding transit or signal sequence peptides can easily isolated from plastid-localized, mitochondria-localized or endoplasmic reticulum-localized proteins, which are expressed from nuclear genes as precursors and are then targeted to plastids, mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum. Nucleic acid sequences encoding a transit or signal sequence peptide can be isolated from organelle-targeted proteins from any organism. Preferably, the transit or signal sequence peptide is isolated from an organism selected from the group consisting of the genera Acetabularia, Arabidopsis, Brassica, Capsicum, Chlamydomonas, Cururbita, Dunaliella, Euglena, Flaveria, Glycine, Hellanthus, Hordeum, Lemna, Lolium, Lycopersion, Malus, Medicago, Mesembryanthemum, Nicotlana, Oenotherea, Oryza, Petunia, Phaseolus, Physcomitrella, Pinus, Pisum, Raphanus, Silene, Sinapis, Solanum, Spinacea, Stevia, Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Triticum and Zea. More preferably, the nucleic acid sequence encoding the transit or signal sequence peptide is isolated from an organism selected from the group consisting of the species Acetabularia mediterranea, Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica campestris, Brassica napus, Capsicum annuum, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Cururbita moschata, Dunaliella sallina, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Euglena gracilis, Flaveria trinervia, Glycine max, Hellanthus annuus, Hordeum vulgare, Lemna gibba, Lolium perenne, Lycoperslon esculentum, Malus domestica, Medicago falcata, Medicago sativa, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Nicotlana plumbaginifollia, Nicotlana sylvestris, Nicotlana tabacum, Oenotherea hookeri, Oryza sativa, Petunia hybrida, Phaseolus vulgaris, Physcomitrella patens, Pinus tunbergii, Pisum satlvum, Raphanus sativus, Silene pratensis, Sinapis alba, Solanum tuberosum, Spinacea oleracea, Stevia rebaudiana, Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Triticum aestivum and Zea mays. Alternatively, nucleic acid sequences coding for transit or signal sequence peptides may be chemically synthesized either in part or wholly according to structure of transit peptide sequences disclosed in the prior art.

Such transit or signal sequence peptides encoding sequences can be used for the construction of other expression constructs. The transit or signal sequence peptides advantageously used in the inventive process and which are part of the inventive nucleic acid sequences and proteins are typically 20 to 120 amino acids, preferably 25 to 110, 30 to 100 or 35 to 90 amino acids, more preferably 40 to 85 amino acids and most preferably 45 to 80 amino acids as for transit peptides, or about 15 to about 50 amino acids as for signal sequence peptides in length and functions post-translational to direct the protein to the plastid, preferably to the chloroplast, the mitochondrion or endoplasmic reticulum. The nucleic acid sequences encoding such transit or signal sequence peptides are localized upstream of nucleic acid sequence encoding the mature protein. For the correct molecular joining of the transit or signal sequence peptide encoding nucleic acid and the nucleic acid encoding the protein to be targeted it is sometimes necessary to introduce additional base pairs at the joining position, which forms restriction enzyme recognition sequences useful for the molecular joining of the different nucleic acid molecules. This procedure might lead to very few additional amino acids at the N-terminal of the mature imported protein, which usually and preferably do not interfere with the protein function. In any case, the additional base pairs at the joining position which forms restriction enzyme recognition sequences have to be chosen with care, in order to avoid the formation of stop codons or codons which encode amino acids with a strong influence on protein folding, like e.g. proline. It is preferred that such additional codons encode small structural flexible amino acids such as glycine or alanine.

As mentioned above the nucleic acid sequence coding for a protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, can be joined to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a transit or a signal sequence peptide. The nucleic acid sequence of the gene to be expressed and the nucleic acid sequence encoding the transit or signal sequence peptide are operably linked. Therefore the transit or signal sequence peptide is fused in frame to the nucleic acid sequence coding for a protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

The proteins translated from said inventive nucleic acid sequences are a kind of fusion proteins that means the nucleic acid sequences encoding the transit or signal sequence peptide, are joint to a gene, e.g. the nucleic acid sequences comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. The person skilled in the art is able to join said sequences in a functional manner. Advantageously the transit or signal sequence peptide part is cleaved off from the protein part during the transport preferably into the endoplasmic reticulum or plastids. The skilled worker knows that other short sequences are also useful in the expression of the mutated HPPD genes of the present invention. Furthermore the skilled worker is aware of the fact that there is not a need for such short sequences in the expression of the genes.

Alternatively to the targeting of the gene, e.g. proteins having the sequences comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, the nucleic acids of the invention can directly be introduced into the plastidic genome.

By transforming the plastids the intraspecies specific transgene flow is blocked, because a lot of species such as corn, cotton and rice have a strict maternal inheritance of plastids. By placing the gene e.g. the genes comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or active fragments thereof in the plastids of plants, these genes will not be present in the pollen of said plants.

In another embodiment of the invention the gene, e.g. the nucleic acid molecules comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, used in the inventive process are transformed into mitochondria, which are metabolic active.

For a good expression in the plastids the gene, e.g. the nucleic acid sequences comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, are introduced into an expression cassette using a preferably a promoter and terminator, which are active in plastids, preferably a chloroplast promoter. Examples of such promoters include the psbA promoter from the gene from spinach or pea, the rbcL promoter, and the atpB promoter from corn.

In one embodiment, the process of the present invention comprises one or more of the following steps:

-   (a) stabilizing a protein conferring the increased expression of a     protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or of     the polypeptide of the invention having the herein-mentioned     activity of an mutated HPPD and conferring increased herbicide     tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g.     non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof; -   (b) stabilizing an mRNA conferring the increased expression of a     polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide as mentioned in (a); -   (c) increasing the specific activity of a protein conferring the     increased expression of a polypeptide as mentioned in (a); -   (d) generating or increasing the expression of an endogenous or     artificial transcription factor mediating the expression of a     protein conferring the increased expression of a polypeptide as     mentioned in (a); -   (e) stimulating activity of a protein conferring the increased     expression of a polypeptide as mentioned in (a), by adding one or     more exogenous inducing factors to the organism or parts thereof; -   (f) expressing a transgenic gene encoding a protein conferring the     increased expression of a polypeptide as mentioned in (a); and/or -   (g) increasing the copy number of a gene conferring the increased     expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide as     mentioned in (a); -   (h) increasing the expression of the endogenous gene encoding a     polypeptide as mentioned in (a) by adding positive expression or     removing negative expression elements, e.g. homologous recombination     can be used to either introduce positive regulatory elements like     for plants the 35S enhancer into the promoter or to remove repressor     elements form regulatory regions. Further gene conversion methods     can be used to disrupt repressor elements or to enhance to activity     of positive elements—positive elements can be randomly introduced in     plants by T-DNA or transposon mutagenesis and lines can be     identified in which the positive elements have been integrated near     to a gene of the invention, the expression of which is thereby     enhanced; and/or -   (i) modulating growth conditions of the plant in such a manner, that     the expression or activity of the gene encoding a polypeptide as     mentioned in (a), or the protein itself is enhanced; -   (j) selecting of organisms with especially high activity of a     polypeptide as mentioned in (a) from natural or from mutagenized     resources and breeding them into the target organisms, e.g. the     elite crops.

Preferably, said mRNA is encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention and/or the protein conferring the increased expression of a protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention alone or linked to a transit nucleic acid sequence or transit peptide encoding nucleic acid sequence or the polypeptide having the herein mentioned activity, e.g. conferring with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof after increasing the expression or activity of the encoded polypeptide or having the activity of a polypeptide having an activity as the protein comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof

In general, the amount of mRNA or polypeptide in a cell or a compartment of an organism correlates with the amount of encoded protein and thus with the overall activity of the encoded protein in said volume. Said correlation is not always linear, the activity in the volume is dependent on the stability of the molecules or the presence of activating or inhibiting cofactors. The activity of the abovementioned proteins and/or polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can be increased in various ways. For example, the activity in an organism or in a part thereof, like a cell, is increased via increasing the gene product number, e.g. by increasing the expression rate, like introducing a stronger promoter, or by increasing the stability of the mRNA expressed, thus increasing the translation rate, and/or increasing the stability of the gene product, thus reducing the proteins decayed. Further, the activity or turnover of enzymes can be influenced in such a way that a reduction or increase of the reaction rate or a modification (reduction or increase) of the affinity to the substrate results, is reached. A mutation in the catalytic centre of an polypeptide of the invention, e.g. as enzyme, can modulate the turn over rate of the enzyme, e.g. a knock out of an essential amino acid can lead to a reduced or completely knock out activity of the enzyme, or the deletion or mutation of regulator binding sites can reduce a negative regulation like a feedback inhibition (or a substrate inhibition, if the substrate level is also increased). The specific activity of an enzyme of the present invention can be increased such that the turn over rate is increased or the binding of a co-factor is improved. Improving the stability of the encoding mRNA or the protein can also increase the activity of a gene product. The stimulation of the activity is also under the scope of the term “increased activity”.

Moreover, the regulation of the abovementioned nucleic acid sequences may be modified so that gene expression is increased. This can be achieved advantageously by means of heterologous regulatory sequences or by modifying, for example mutating, the natural regulatory sequences which are present. The advantageous methods may also be combined with each other.

In general, an activity of a gene product in an organism or part thereof, in particular in a plant cell or organelle of a plant cell, a plant, or a plant tissue or a part thereof or in a microorganism can be increased by increasing the amount of the specific encoding mRNA or the corresponding protein in said organism or part thereof.

A modification, i.e. an increase, can be caused by endogenous or exogenous factors. For example, an increase in activity in an organism or a part thereof can be caused by adding a gene product or a precursor or an activator or an agonist to the media or nutrition or can be caused by introducing said subjects into an organism, transient or stable. Furthermore such an increase can be reached by the introduction of the inventive nucleic acid sequence or the encoded protein in the correct cell compartment for example into the nucleus or cytoplasm respectively or into plastids either by transformation and/or targeting.

In one further embodiment of the process according to the invention, organisms are used in which one of the abovementioned genes, or one of the abovementioned nucleic acids, is mutated in a way that the activity of the encoded gene products is less influenced by cellular factors, or not at all, in comparison with the not mutated proteins. For example, well known regulation mechanisms of enzyme activity are substrate inhibition or feed back regulation mechanisms. Ways and techniques for the introduction of substitution, deletions and additions of one or more bases, nucleotides or amino acids of a corresponding sequence are described herein below in the corresponding paragraphs and the references listed there, e.g. in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbour, N.Y., 1989. The person skilled in the art will be able to identify regulation domains and binding sites of regulators by comparing the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or the expression product thereof with the state of the art by computer software means which comprise algorithms for the identifying of binding sites and regulation domains or by introducing into a nucleic acid molecule or in a protein systematically mutations and assaying for those mutations which will lead to an increased specific activity or an increased activity per volume, in particular per cell.

The mutation is introduced in such a way that increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, is not adversely affected.

It can therefore be advantageous to express in an organism a nucleic acid molecule of the invention or a polypeptide of the invention derived from a evolutionary distantly related organism, as e.g. using a prokaryotic gene in a eukaryotic host, as in these cases the regulation mechanism of the host cell may not weaken the activity (cellular or specific) of the gene or its expression product.

The invention is not limited to specific nucleic acids, specific polypeptides, specific cell types, specific host cells, specific conditions or specific methods etc. as such, but may vary and numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

Further, “proteins are generally composed of one or more functional regions, commonly termed domains. Different combinations of domains give rise to the diverse range of proteins found in nature. The identification of domains that occur within proteins can therefore provide insights into their function. Pfam-A entries are high quality, manually curated families. The Pfam database is a large collection of protein families, each represented by multiple sequence alignments and hidden Markov models (HMMs).” (see: The Pfam protein families database: R. D. Finn, et al., Nucleic Acids Research (2010), Database Issue 38:D211-222).

The Pfam protein family database is a large collection of more than ten thousand protein families and is available under http://pfam.sanger.ac.uk/. Profile Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are flexible, probabilistic models that can be used to describe the consensus patterns shared by sets of homologous protein/domain sequences. HMMs in the Pfam database are constructed from an alignment of a representative set of sequences for each protein domain, called a seed alignment.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide which is 50% or more, preferably 60%, 70%, or 75%, more preferably 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, even more preferred 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more and most preferred 100% identical to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, and conferring the increase of the herbicide tolerance or resistance of a plant as described herein. The invention also relates to the polypeptide encoded by said polynucleotide.

The present invention also relates to isolated, recombinantly produced or chemically synthesized nucleic acids comprising a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of:

-   (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide comprising a     variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,     18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof; -   (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a variant of the sequence of     SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or     31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, -   (c) a nucleic acid molecule, which, as a result of the degeneracy of     the genetic code, can be derived from a variant of the polypeptide     sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,     26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof,     and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared     to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a     plant or a part thereof; -   (d) a nucleic acid molecule having 30% or more identity, preferably     40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%,     99.5%, or more with the nucleic acid molecule sequence of a     polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid molecule of a variant of     SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or     31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and confers     increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a     corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant     or a part thereof; -   (e) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mutated HPPD polypeptide     having 30% or more identity, preferably at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%,     75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or more, with the     amino acid sequence of the HPPD polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:     2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, and     confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to     a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant     or a part thereof; -   (f) nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes with a nucleic acid     molecule of (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) under stringent hybridization     conditions and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance,     as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type     plant cell, a plant or a part thereof; -   (g) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide which can be     isolated with the aid of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies made     against a polypeptide encoded by one of the nucleic acid molecules     of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) and having the activity     represented by the nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide     as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15,     17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof; -   (h) a nucleic acid molecule which is obtainable by screening a     suitable nucleic acid library, especially a cDNA library and/or a     genomic library, under stringent hybridization conditions with a     probe comprising a complementary sequence of a nucleic acid molecule     of (a) or (b) or with a fragment thereof, having 15 nt, preferably     20 nt, 30 nt, 50 nt, 100 nt, 200 nt, 500 nt, 750 nt or 1000 nt or     more of a nucleic acid molecule complementary to a nucleic acid     molecule sequence characterized in (a) to (e) and encoding a     polypeptide having the activity represented by a protein comprising     a polypeptide as depicted SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18,     20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof,

wherein the variant of a HPPD polypeptide has a substitution of one or more amino acids corresponding to or at positions 30, 39, 54, 57, 84, 210, 212, 223, 243, 247, 249, 251, 264, 291, 306, 317, 318, 319, 321, 326, 327, 331, 341, 342, 345, 350, 363, 367, 373, 374, 375, 379, 405, 407, 410, 412, 414, 419, 421, or 422 of SEQ ID NO:4.

In one embodiment the invention relates to homologs of the aforementioned sequences, which can be isolated advantageously from yeast, fungi, viruses, algae, bacteria, such as Acetobacter (subgen. Acetobacter) aceti Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans; Acinetobacter sp.; Actinobacillus sp; Aeromonas salmonicida; Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Aquifex aeollicus; Arcanobacterium pyogenes; Aster yellows phytoplasma; Bacillus sp.; Bifidobacterium sp.; Borrellia burgdorferi Brevibacterium linens; Brucella melltensis; Buchnera sp.; Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens; Campylobacterjejuni; Caulobacter crescentus; Chlamydia sp.; Chlamydophila sp.; Chlorobium limicola; Citrobacter rodentium; Clostridium sp.; Comamonas testosteroni; Corynebacterium sp.; Coxiella burnetii Deinococcus radiodurans; Dichelobacter nodosus; Edwardsiella ictaluri; Enterobacter sp.; Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae; E. coli; Flavobacterium sp.; Francisella tularensis; Frankia sp. Cpl1; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Geobacillus stearothermophillus; Gluconobacter oxydans; Haemophillus sp.; Hellicobacter pylori; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Lactobacillus sp.; Lactococcuslactis; Listeria sp.; Mannheimia haemolytica; Mesorhizobiumloti; Methylophaga thalassica; Microcystis aeruginosa; Microscilla sp. PRE1; Moraxella sp. TA 144; Mycobacterium sp.; Mycoplasma sp.; Neisseria sp.; Nitrosomonas sp.; Nostoc sp. PCC 7120; Novosphingobium aromaticivorans; Oenococcus oeni Pantoea citrea; Pasteurella multocida; Pediococcus pentosaceus; Phormidium foveolarum; Phytoplasma sp.; Plectonema boryanum; Prevotella ruminicola; Propionibacterium sp.; Proteus vulgaris; Pseudomonas sp.; Ralstonia sp.; Rhizobium sp.; Rhodococcus equi; Rhodothermus marinus; Rickettsia sp.; Riemerella anatipestifer; Ruminococcus flavefaciens; Salmonella sp.; Selenomonas ruminantium; Serratia entomophila; Shigella sp.; Sinorhizobium melloti; Staphylococcus sp.; Streptococcus sp.; Streptomyces sp.; Synechococcus sp.; Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803; Thermotoga maritima; Treponema sp.; Ureaplasma urealyticum; Vibrio cholerae; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Xylella fastidiosa; Yersinia sp.; Zymomonas mobilis, preferably Salmonella sp. or E. coli or plants, preferably from yeasts such as from the genera Saccharomyces, Pichia, Candida, Hansenula, Torulopsis or Schizosaccharomyces or plants such as A. thaliana, maize, wheat, rye, oat, triticale, rice, barley, soybean, peanut, cotton, borage, sunflower, linseed, primrose, rapeseed, canola and turnip rape, manihot, pepper, sunflower, tagetes, solanaceous plant such as potato, tobacco, eggplant and tomato, Vicia species, pea, alfalfa, bushy plants such as coffee, cacao, tea, Salix species, trees such as oil palm, coconut, perennial grass, such as ryegrass and fescue, and forage crops, such as alfalfa and clover and from spruce, pine or fir for example. The proteins of the present invention are preferably produced by recombinant DNA techniques. For example, a nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein is cloned into an expression vector, for example in to a binary vector, the expression vector is introduced into a host cell, for example the A. thaliana wild type NASC N906 or any other plant cell as described in the examples see below, and the protein is expressed in said host cell. Examples for binary vectors are pBIN19, pBI101, pBinAR (Hofgen and Willmitzer, Plant Science 66, 221 (1990)), pGPTV, pCAMBIA, pBIB-HYG, pBecks, pGreen or pPZP (Hajukiewicz, P. et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 25, 989 (1994), and Hellens et al, Trends in Plant Science 5, 446 (2000)).

In one embodiment as described in more detail SUPRA, the protein of the present invention is preferably targeted to a compartment of the cell, e.g. to the endoplasmic reticulum or in the plastids. Ways of introducing nucleic acids into the endoplasmic reticulum or plastids and producing proteins in this compartment are known to the person skilled in the art have been also described in this application. In one embodiment, the polypeptide of the invention is a protein localized after expression e.g. non-targeted, mitochondrial or plastidic, for example it is fused to a transit or signal sequence peptide as decribed above for plastidic or endoplasmic reticulum localisation. In another embodiment the protein of the present invention is produced without further targeting signal (e.g. as mentioned herein), e.g. in the cytoplasm of the cell. Ways of producing proteins in the cytoplasm are known to the person skilled in the art. Ways of producing proteins without artificial targeting are known to the person skilled in the art.

Advantageously, the nucleic acid sequences according to the invention or the gene construct together with at least one reporter gene are cloned into an expression cassette, which is introduced into the organism via a vector or directly into the genome. This reporter gene should allow easy detection via a growth, fluorescence, chemical, bioluminescence or tolerance assay or via a photometric measurement. Examples of reporter genes which may be mentioned are antibiotic- or herbicide-tolerance genes, hydrolase genes, fluorescence protein genes, bioluminescence genes, sugar or nucleotide metabolic genes or biosynthesis genes such as the Ura3 gene, the IIv2 gene, the luciferase gene, the 3-galactosidase gene, the gfp gene, the 2-desoxyglucose-6-phosphate phosphatase gene, the β-glucuronidase gene, β-lactamase gene, the neomycin phosphotransferase gene, the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene, a mutated acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) gene (also known as acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene), a gene for a D-amino acid metabolizing enzmye or the BASTA (=gluphosinate-tolerance) gene. These genes permit easy measurement and quantification of the transcription activity and hence of the expression of the genes. In this way genome positions may be identified which exhibit differing productivity. For expression a person skilled in the art is familiar with different methods to introduce the nucleic acid sequences into different organelles such as the preferred plastids. Such methods are for example disclosed by Maiga P. (Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 55, 289 (2004)), Evans T. (WO 2004/040973), McBride K. E. et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,818), Daniell H. et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,479 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,507) and Straub J. M. et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,033). A preferred method is the transformation of microspore-derived hypocotyl or cotyledonary tissue (which are green and thus contain numerous plastids) leaf tissue and afterwards the regeneration of shoots from said transformed plant material on selective medium. As methods for the transformation bombarding of the plant material or the use of independently replicating shuttle vectors are well known by the skilled worker. But also a PEG-mediated transformation of the plastids or Agrobacterium transformation with binary vectors is possible. Useful markers for the transformation of plastids are positive selection markers for example the chloramphenicol-, streptomycin-, kanamycin-, neomycin-, amikamycin-, spectinomycin-, triazine- and/or lincomycin-tolerance genes. As additional markers named in the literature often as secondary markers, genes coding for the tolerance against herbicides such as phosphinothricin (=glufosinate, BASTA™, Liberty™, encoded by the bar gene), glyphosate (═N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, Roundup™, encoded by the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase gene=epsps), sulfonylureas (like Staple™, encoded by the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene), imidazolinones [=IMI, like imazethapyr, imazamox, Clearfield™, encoded by the acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) gene, also known as acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene] or bromoxynil (=Buctril™, encoded by the oxy gene) or genes coding for antibiotics such as hygromycin or G418 are useful for further selection. Such secondary markers are useful in the case when most genome copies are transformed. In addition negative selection markers such as the bacterial cytosine deaminase (encoded by the codA gene) are also useful for the transformation of plastids.

To increase the possibility of identification of transformants it is also desirable to use reporter genes other then the aforementioned tolerance genes or in addition to said genes. Reporter genes are for example 3-galactosidase-, P1-glucuronidase-(GUS), alkaline phosphatase- and/or green-fluorescent protein-genes (GFP).

In a preferred embodiment a nucleic acid construct, for example an expression cassette, comprises upstream, i.e. at the 5′ end of the encoding sequence, a promoter and downstream, i.e. at the 3′ end, a polyadenylation signal and optionally other regulatory elements which are operably linked to the intervening encoding sequence with one of the nucleic acids of a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. By an operable linkage is meant the sequential arrangement of promoter, encoding sequence, terminator and optionally other regulatory elements in such a way that each of the regulatory elements can fulfill its function in the expression of the encoding sequence in due manner. In one embodiment the sequences preferred for operable linkage are targeting sequences for ensuring subcellular localization in plastids. However, targeting sequences for ensuring subcellular localization in the mitochondrium, in the endoplasmic reticulum (=ER), in the nucleus, in oil corpuscles or other compartments may also be employed as well as translation promoters such as the 5′ lead sequence in tobacco mosaic virus (Gallie et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 15 8693 (1987).

A nucleic acid construct, for example an expression cassette may, for example, contain a constitutive promoter or a tissue-specific promoter (preferably the USP or napin promoter) the gene to be expressed and the ER retention signal. For the ER retention signal the KDEL amino acid sequence (lysine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, leucine) or the KKX amino acid sequence (lysine-lysine-X-stop, wherein X means every other known amino acid) is preferably employed.

For expression in a host organism, for example a plant, the expression cassette is advantageously inserted into a vector such as by way of example a plasmid, a phage or other DNA which allows optimal expression of the genes in the host organism. Examples of suitable plasmids are: in E. coli pLG338, pACYC184, pBR series such as e.g. pBR322, pUC series such as pUC18 or pUC19, M113mp series, pKC30, pRep4, pHS1, pHS2, pPLc236, pMBL24, pLG200, pUR290, plN-III113-B1, Agtll 1 or pBdCl; in Streptomyces pIJ101, pIJ364, pIJ702 or pIJ361; in Bacillus pUB110, pC194 or pBD214; in Corynebacterium pSA77 or pAJ667; in fungi pALS1, plL2 or pBB116; other advantageous fungal vectors are described by Romanos M. A. et al., Yeast 8, 423 (1992) and by van den Hondel, C. A. M. J. J. et al. [(1991) “Heterologous gene expression in filamentous fungi” ] as well as in “More Gene Manipulations” in “Fungi” in Bennet J. W. & Lasure L. L., eds., pp. 396-428, Academic Press, San Diego, and in “Gene transfer systems and vector development for filamentous fungi” [van den Hondel, C. A. M. J. J. & Punt, P. J. (1991) in: Applied Molecular Genetics of Fungi, Peberdy, J. F. et al., eds., pp. 1-28, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge]. Examples of advantageous yeast promoters are 2 μM, pAG-1, YEp6, YEp13 or pEMBLYe23. Examples of algal or plant promoters are pLGV23, pGHlac+, pBIN19, pAK2004, pVKH or pDH51 (see Schmidt, R. and Willmitzer, L., Plant Cell Rep. 7, 583 (1988)). The vectors identified above or derivatives of the vectors identified above are a small selection of the possible plasmids. Further plasmids are well known to those skilled in the art and may be found, for example, in “Cloning Vectors” (Eds. Pouwels P. H. et al. Elsevier, Amsterdam-New York-Oxford, 1985, ISBN 0 444 904018). Suitable plant vectors are described inter alia in “Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology” (CRC Press, Ch. 6/7, pp. 71-119). Advantageous vectors are known as shuttle vectors or binary vectors which replicate in E. coli and Agrobacterium.

In a further embodiment of the vector the expression cassette according to the invention may also advantageously be introduced into the organisms in the form of a linear DNA and be integrated into the genome of the host organism by way of heterologous or homologous recombination. This linear DNA may be composed of a linearized plasmid or only of the expression cassette as vector or the nucleic acid sequences according to the invention.

A nucleic acid sequence can also be introduced into an organism on its own.

If in addition to the nucleic acid sequence according to the invention further genes are to be introduced into the organism, all together with a reporter gene in a single vector or each single gene with a reporter gene in a vector in each case can be introduced into the organism, whereby the different vectors can be introduced simultaneously or successively.

The vector advantageously contains at least one copy of the nucleic acid sequences according to the invention and/or the expression cassette (=gene construct) according to the invention.

The invention further provides an isolated recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein expression of the vector in a host cell results in increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a wild type variety of the host cell.

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention comprise a nucleic acid of the invention in a form suitable for expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell, which means that the recombinant expression vectors include one or more regulatory sequences, selected on the basis of the host cells to be used for expression, which is operatively linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of polypeptide desired, etc. The expression vectors of the invention can be introduced into host cells to thereby produce polypeptides or peptides, including fusion polypeptides or peptides, encoded by nucleic acids as described herein.

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention can be designed for expression of the polypeptide of the invention in plant cells. For example, nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be expressed in plant cells (see Schmidt R., and Willmitzer L., Plant Cell Rep. 7 (1988); Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, C Press, Boca Raton, Fla., Chapter 6/7, p. 71-119 (1993); White F. F., Jenes B. et al., Techniques for Gene Transfer, in: Transgenic Plants, Vol. 1, Engineering and Utilization, eds. Kung und Wu R., 128-43, Academic Press: 1993; Potrykus, Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Molec. Biol. 42, 205 (1991) and references cited therein). Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press: San Diego, Calif. (1990). By way of example the plant expression cassette can be installed in the pRT transformation vector ((a) Toepfer et al., Methods Enzymol. 217, 66 (1993), (b) Toepfer et al., Nucl. Acids. Res. 15, 5890 (1987)). Alternatively, a recombinant vector (=expression vector) can also be transcribed and translated in vitro, e.g. by using the T7 promoter and the T7 RNA polymerase.

In an further embodiment of the present invention, the nucleic acid molecules of the invention are expressed in plants and plants cells such as unicellular plant cells (e.g. algae) (see Falciatore et al., Marine Biotechnology 1 (3), 239 (1999) and references therein) and plant cells from higher plants (e.g., the spermatophytes, such as crop plants), for example to regenerate plants from the plant cells. A nucleic acid molecule depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof may be “introduced” into a plant cell by any means, including transfection, transformation or transduction, electroporation, particle bombardment, agroinfection, and the like. One transformation method known to those of skill in the art is the dipping of a flowering plant into an Agrobacteria solution, wherein the Agrobacteria contains the nucleic acid of the invention, followed by breeding of the transformed gametes. Other suitable methods for transforming or transfecting host cells including plant cells can be found in Sambrook et al., supra, and other laboratory manuals such as Methods in Molecular Biology, 1995, Vol. 44, Agrobacterium protocols, ed: Gartland and Davey, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J.

In one embodiment of the present invention, transfection of a nucleic acid molecule coding for a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof into a plant is achieved by Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer. Agrobacterium mediated plant transformation can be performed using for example the GV3101 (pMP90) (Koncz and Schell, Mol. Gen. Genet. 204, 383 (1986)) or LBA4404 (Clontech) Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain. Transformation can be performed by standard transformation and regeneration techniques (Deblaere et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 13, 4777 (1994), Gelvin, Stanton B. and Schilperoort Robert A, Plant Molecular Biology Manual, 2nd Ed.—Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publ., 1995.—in Sect., Ringbuc Zentrale Signatur: BT11-P ISBN 0-7923-2731-4; Glick Bernard R., Thompson John E., Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1993 360 S., ISBN 0-8493-5164-2). For example, rapeseed can be transformed via cotyledon or hypocotyl transformation (Moloney et al., Plant Cell Report 8, 238 (1989); De Block et al., Plant Physiol. 91, 694 (1989)). Use of antibiotics for Agrobacterium and plant selection depends on the binary vector and the Agrobacterium strain used for transformation. Rapeseed selection is normally performed using kanamycin as selectable plant marker. Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer to flax can be performed using, for example, a technique described by Mlynarova et al., Plant Cell Report 13, 282 (1994). Additionally, transformation of soybean can be performed using for example a technique described in European Patent No. 424 047, U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,783, European Patent No. 397 687, U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,543 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,770. Transformation of maize can be achieved by particle bombardment, polyethylene glycol mediated DNA uptake or via the silicon carbide fiber technique. (see, for example, Freeling and Walbot “The maize handbook” Springer Verlag: New York (1993) ISBN 3-540-97826-7). A specific example of maize transformation is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,387, and a specific example of wheat transformation can be found in PCT Application No. WO 93/07256.

According to the present invention, the introduced nucleic acid molecule coding for a polypeptides depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or homologs thereof, may be maintained in the plant cell stably if it is incorporated into a non-chromosomal autonomous replicon or integrated into the plant chromosomes or organelle genome. Alternatively, the introduced nucleic acid molecule may be present on an extra-chromosomal non-replicating vector and be transiently expressed or transiently active.

In one embodiment, a homologous recombinant microorganism can be created wherein the nucleic acid molecule is integrated into a chromosome, a vector is prepared which contains at least a portion of a nucleic acid molecule coding for a protein depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof into which a deletion, addition, or substitution has been introduced to thereby alter, e.g., functionally disrupt, the gene. For example, the gene is a yeast gene, like a gene of S. cerevisiae, or of Synechocystis, or a bacterial gene, like an E. coli gene, but it can be a homolog from a related plant or even from a mammalian or insect source. The vector can be designed such that, upon homologous recombination, the endogenous nucleic acid molecule coding for a protein depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof is mutated or otherwise altered but still encodes a functional polypeptide (e.g., the upstream regulatory region can be altered to thereby alter the expression of the endogenous nucleic acid molecule). In a preferred embodiment the biological activity of the protein of the invention is increased upon homologous recombination. To create a point mutation via homologous recombination, DNA-RNA hybrids can be used in a technique known as chimeraplasty (Cole-Strauss et al., Nucleic Acids Research 27 (5), 1323 (1999) and Kmiec, Gene Therapy American Scientist. 87 (3), 240 (1999)). Homologous recombination procedures in Physcomitrella patens are also well known in the art and are contemplated for use herein.

Whereas in the homologous recombination vector, the altered portion of the nucleic acid molecule coding for a protein depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof is flanked at its 5′ and 3′ ends by an additional nucleic acid molecule of the gene to allow for homologous recombination to occur between the exogenous gene carried by the vector and an endogenous gene, in a microorganism or plant. The additional flanking nucleic acid molecule is of sufficient length for successful homologous recombination with the endogenous gene. Typically, several hundreds of base pairs up to kilobases of flanking DNA (both at the 5′ and 3′ ends) are included in the vector. See, e.g., Thomas K. R., and Capecchi M. R., Cell 51, 503 (1987) for a description of homologous recombination vectors or Strepp et al., PNAS, 95 (8), 4368 (1998) for cDNA based recombination in Physcomitrella patens. The vector is introduced into a microorganism or plant cell (e.g. via polyethylene glycol mediated DNA), and cells in which the introduced gene has homologously recombined with the endogenous gene are selected using art-known techniques.

Whether present in an extra-chromosomal non-replicating vector or a vector that is integrated into a chromosome, the nucleic acid molecule coding for amino acid molecules depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof preferably resides in a plant expression cassette. A plant expression cassette preferably contains regulatory sequences capable of driving gene expression in plant cells that are operatively linked so that each sequence can fulfill its function, for example, termination of transcription by polyadenylation signals. Preferred polyadenylation signals are those originating from Agrobacterium tumefaciens t-DNA such as the gene 3 known as octopine synthase of the Ti-plasmid pTiACH5 (Gielen et al., EMBO J. 3, 835 (1984)) or functional equivalents thereof but also all other terminators functionally active in plants are suitable. As plant gene expression is very often not limited on transcriptional levels, a plant expression cassette preferably contains other operatively linked sequences like translational enhancers such as the overdrive-sequence containing the 5′-untranslated leader sequence from tobacco mosaic virus enhancing the polypeptide per RNA ratio (Gallie et al., Nucl. Acids Research 15, 8693 (1987)). Examples of plant expression vectors include those detailed in: Becker D. et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 20, 1195 (1992); and Bevan M. W., Nucl. Acid. Res. 12, 8711 (1984); and “Vectors for Gene Transfer in Higher Plants” in: Transgenic Plants, Vol. 1, Engineering and Utilization, eds. Kung and Wu R., Academic Press, 1993, S. 15-38.

The host organism (=transgenic organism) advantageously contains at least one copy of the nucleic acid according to the invention and/or of the nucleic acid construct according to the invention.

In principle all plants can be used as host organism. Preferred transgenic plants are, for example, selected from the families Aceraceae, Anacardiaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Papaveraceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Solanaceae, Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cyperaceae, Iridaceae, Liliaceae, Orchidaceae, Gentianaceae, Labiaceae, Magnoliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Carifolaceae, Rubiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Ericaceae, Polygonaceae, Violaceae, Juncaceae or Poaceae and preferably from a plant selected from the group of the families Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Papaveraceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae or Poaceae. Preferred are crop plants such as plants advantageously selected from the group of the genus peanut, oilseed rape, canola, sunflower, safflower, olive, sesame, hazelnut, almond, avocado, bay, pumpkin/squash, linseed, soya, pistachio, borage, maize, wheat, rye, oats, sorghum and millet, triticale, rice, barley, cassava, potato, sugarbeet, egg plant, alfalfa, and perennial grasses and forage plants, oil palm, vegetables (brassicas, root vegetables, tuber vegetables, pod vegetables, fruiting vegetables, onion vegetables, leafy vegetables and stem vegetables), buckwheat, Jerusalem artichoke, broad bean, vetches, lentil, dwarf bean, lupin, clover and Lucerne for mentioning only some of them.

In one embodiment of the invention transgenic plants are selected from the group comprising cereals, soybean, rapeseed (including oil seed rape, especially canola and winter oil seed rape), cotton, sugarcane, sugar beet, sunflower and potato, especially corn, soy, rapeseed (including oil seed rape, especially canola and winter oil seed rape), cotton, wheat and rice.

In another embodiment of the invention the transgenic plant is a gymnosperm plant, especially a spruce, pine or fir.

In one embodiment, the host plant is selected from the families Aceraceae, Anacardiaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Papaveraceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Solanaceae, Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cyperaceae, Iridaceae, Liliaceae, Orchidaceae, Gentianaceae, Labiaceae, Magnoliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Carifolaceae, Rubiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Ericaceae, Polygonaceae, Violaceae, Juncaceae or Poaceae and preferably from a plant selected from the group of the families Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Papaveraceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae or Poaceae.

Preferred are crop plants and in particular plants mentioned herein above as host plants such as the families and genera mentioned above for example preferred the species Anacardium occidentale, Calendula officinalis, Carthamus tinctorius, Cichorium intybus, Cynara scolymus, Hellanthus annus, Tagetes lucida, Tagetes erecta, Tagetes tenuifolia; Daucus carota; Corylus avellana, Corylus colurna, Borago officinalis; Brassica napus, Brassica rapa ssp., Sinapis arvensis Brasslca juncea, Brasslca juncea var. juncea, Brasslca juncea var. crispifolia, Brassica juncea var. foliosa, Brassica nigra, Brassica sinapioides, Melanosinapis communis, Brassica oleracea, Arabidopsis thaliana, Anana comosus, Ananas ananas, Bromella comosa, Carlca papaya, Cannabis sative, Ipomoea batatus, Ipomoea pandurata, Convolvulus batatas, Convolvulus tillaceus, Ipomoea fastigiata, Ipomoea tillacea, Ipomoea trlloba, Convolvulus panduratus, Beta vulgaris, Beta vulgaris var. altlssima, Beta vulgaris var. vulgaris, Beta maritima, Beta vulgaris var. perennis, Beta vulgaris var. conditiva, Beta vulgaris var. esculenta, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita moschata, Olea europaea, Manihot utillssima, Janipha manihot, Jatropha manihot., Manihot aipil, Manihot dulcis, Manihot manihot, Manihot melanobasis, Manihot esculenta, Ricinus communis, Pisum sativum, Pisum arvense, Pisum humile, Medicago sativa, Medicago falcata, Medicago varia, Glycine max Dolichos soja, Glycine gracilis, Glycine hispida, Phaseolus max, Soja hispida, Soja max, Cocos nucifera, Pelargonium grossularioides, Oleum cocoas, Laurus nobilis, Persea americana, Arachis hypogaea, Linum usitatissimum, Linum humile, Linum austriacum, Linum bienne, Linum angustifolium, Linum catharticum, Linum flavum, Linum grandiflorum, Adenolinum grandiflorum, Linum lewisii, Linum narbonense, Linum perenne, Linum perenne var. lewisii Linum pratense, Linum trigynum, Punica granatum, Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium herbaceum, Gossypium thurberi, Musa nana, Musa acuminata, Musa paradislaca, Musa spp., Elaeis guineensis, Papaver orientale, Papaver rhoeas, Papaver dubium, Sesamum indicum, Piper aduncum, Piper amalago, Piper angustifolium, Piper auritum, Piper betel, Piper cubeba, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Piper retrofractum, Artanthe adunca, Artanthe elongata, Peperomia elongata, Piper elongatum, Steffensia elongata, Hordeum vulgare, Hordeum jubatum, Hordeum murinum, Hordeum secalinum, Hordeum distichon Hordeum aegiceras, Hordeum hexastichon., Hordeum hexastichum, Hordeum irregulare, Hordeum sativum, Hordeum secalinum, Avena sativa, Avena fatua, Avena byzantina, Avena fatua var. sativa, Avena hybrida, Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum halepense, Sorghum saccharatum, Sorghum vulgare, Andropogon drummondii, Holcus bicolor, Holcus sorghum, Sorghum aethiopicum, Sorghum arundinaceum, Sorghum caffrorum, Sorghum cernuum, Sorghum dochna, Sorghum drummondii, Sorghum durra, Sorghum guineense, Sorghum lanceolatum, Sorghum nervosum, Sorghum saccharatum, Sorghum subglabrescens, Sorghum verticilliflorum, Sorghum vulgare, Holcus halepensis, Sorghum miliaceum millet, Panicum militaceum, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, Triticum turgidum, Triticum hybernum, Triticum macha, Triticum sativum or Triticum vulgare, Cofea spp., Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora, Coffea liberica, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annuum, Nicotiana tabacum, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum melongena, Lycopersicon esculentum, Lycopersicon lycopersicum., Lycopersicon pyriforme, Solanum integrifolium, Solanum lycopersicum Theobroma cacao or Camellia sinensis.

Anacardiaceae such as the genera Pistacia, Mangifera, Anacardium e.g. the species Pistacia vera [pistachios, Pistazie], Mangifer indica [Mango] or Anacardium occidentale [Cashew]; Asteraceae such as the genera Calendula, Carthamus, Centaurea, Cichorium, Cynara, Helianthus, Lactuca, Locusta, Tagetes, Valeriana e.g. the species Calendula officinalis [Marigold], Carthamus tinctorius [safflower], Centaurea cyanus [cornflower], Cilchorium intybus [blue daisy], Cynara scolymus [Artichoke], Helilanthus annus [sunflower], Lactuca sativa, Lactuca crispa, Lactuca esculenta, Lactuca scariola L. ssp. sativa, Lactuca scariola L. var. integrata, Lactuca scariola L. var. integrifolia, Lactuca sativa subsp. romana, Locusta communis, Valeriana locusta [lettuce], Tagetes lucida, Tagetes erecta or Tagetes tenulfolia [Marigold]; Apiaceae such as the genera Daucus e.g. the species Daucus carota [carrot]; Betulaceae such as the genera Corylus e.g. the species Corylus avellana or Corylus colurna [hazelnut]; Boraginaceae such as the genera Borago e.g. the species Borago officinalis [borage]; Brassicaceae such as the genera Brassica, Melanosinapis, Sinapis, Arabadopsis e.g. the species Brassica napus, Brassica rapa ssp. [canola, oilseed rape, turnip rape], Sinapis arvensis Brassica juncea, Brassica juncea var. juncea, Brassica juncea var. crispifolia, Brassica juncea var. foliosa, Brassica nigra, Brassica sinapioides, Melanosinapis communis [mustard], Brassica oleracea [fodder beet] or Arabidopsis thaliana; Bromeliaceae such as the genera Anana, Bromelia e.g. the species Anana comosus, Ananas ananas or Bromelia comosa [pineapple]; Caricaceae such as the genera Carica e.g. the species Carica papaya [papaya]; Cannabaceae such as the genera Cannabis e.g. the species Cannabis sative [hemp], Convolvulaceae such as the genera Ipomea, Convolvulus e.g. the species Ipomoea batatus, Ipomoea pandurata, Convolvulus batatas, Convolvulus tiliaceus, Ipomoea fastigiata, Ipomoea tilacea, Ipomoea trliloba or Convolvulus panduratus [sweet potato, Man of the Earth, wild potato], Chenopodiaceae such as the genera Beta, i.e. the species Beta vulgaris, Beta vulgaris var. altlssima, Beta vulgaris var. Vulgaris, Beta maritima, Beta vulgaris var. perennis, Beta vulgaris var. conditiva or Beta vulgaris var. esculenta [sugar beet]; Cucurbitaceae such as the genera Cucubita e.g. the species Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, Cucurbita pepo or Cucurbita moschata [pumpkin, squash]; Elaeagnaceae such as the genera Elaeagnus e.g. the species Olea europaea [olive]; Ericaceae such as the genera Kalmia e.g. the species Kalmia latifolia, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia microphyllila, Kalmia polifolia, Kalmia occidentalis, Cistus chamaerhodendros or Kalmia lucida [American laurel, broad-leafed laurel, calico bush, spoon wood, sheep laurel, alpine laurel, bog laurel, western bog-laurel, swamp-laurel]; Euphorbiaceae such as the genera Manihot, Janipha, Jatropha, Ricinus e.g. the species Manihot utilissima, Janipha manihot, Jatropha manihot., Manihot aipil, Manihot dulcis, Manihot manihot, Manihot melanobasis, Manihot esculenta [manihot, arrowroot, tapioca, cassava] or Ricinus communis [castor bean, Castor Oil Bush, Castor Oil Plant, Palma Christi, Wonder Tree]; Fabaceae such as the genera Pisum, Albizia, Cathormion, Feuillea, Inga, Pithecolobium, Acacia, Mimosa, Medicajo, Glycine, Dolichos, Phaseolus, Soja e.g. the species Pisum sativum, Pisum arvense, Pisum humile [pea], Albizia berteriana, Abizia julibrissin, Albizia lebbeck, Acacia berteriana, Acacia llittoralis, Albizia berteriana, Albizzia berteriana, Cathormion berteriana, Feuillea berteriana, Inga fragrans, Pithecellobium berterianum, Pithecellobium fragrans, Pithecolobium berterianum, Pseudalbizzia berteriana, Acacia jullibrissin, Acacia nemu, Albizia nemu, Feuilleea jullibrissin, Mimosa jullibrissin, Mimosa speciosa, Sericanrda jullibrissin, Acacia lebbeck, Acacia macrophylla, Albizia lebbek, Feuilleea lebbeck, Mimosa lebbeck, Mimosa speciosa [bastard logwood, silk tree, East Indian Walnut], Medicago sativa, Medicago falcata, Medicago varia [alfalfa] Glycine max Dolichos soja, Glycine gracilis, Glycine hispida, Phaseolus max, Soja hispida or Soja max [soybean]; Geraniaceae such as the genera Pelargonium, Cocos, Oleum e.g. the species Cocos nucifera, Pelargonium grossularioides or Oleum cocois [coconut]; Gramineae such as the genera Saccharum e.g. the species Saccharum officinarum; Juglandaceae such as the genera Juglans, Wallia e.g. the species Juglans regia, Juglans aillanthifolia, Juglans sieboldiana, Juglans cinerea, Walhia cinerea, Juglans bixbyi, Juglans callifornica, Juglans hindsli Juglans intermedia, Juglans jamaicensis, Juglans major, Juglans microcarpa, Juglans nigra or Wallia nigra [walnut, black walnut, common walnut, persian walnut, white walnut, butternut, black walnut]; Lauraceae such as the genera Persea, Laurus e.g. the species laurel Laurus nobils [bay, laurel, bay laurel, sweet bay], Persea americana Persea americana, Persea gratissima or Persea persea [avocado]; Leguminosae such as the genera Arachis e.g. the species Arachis hypogaea [peanut]; Linaceae such as the genera Linum, Adenolinum e.g. the species Linum usltatissimum, Linum humlle, Linum austriacum, Linum bienne, Linum angustifolium, Linum catharticum, Linum flavum, Linum grandiflorum, Adenolinum grandiflorum, Linum llewisii, Llnum narbonense, Linum perenne, Linum perenne var. lewisii, Linum pratense or Linum trigynum [flax, linseed]; Lythrarieae such as the genera Punica e.g. the species Punica granatum [pomegranate]; Malvaceae such as the genera Gossypium e.g. the species Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium herbaceum or Gossypium thurberi[cotton]; Musaceae such as the genera Musa e.g. the species Musa nana, Musa acuminata, Musa paradisiaca, Musa spp. [banana]; Onagraceae such as the genera Camissonia, Oenothera e.g. the species Oenothera biennis or Camissonia brevipes [primrose, evening primrose]; Palmae such as the genera Elacis e.g. the species Elaeis guineensis [oil plam]; Papaveraceae such as the genera Papaver e.g. the species Papaver orientale, Papaver rhoeas, Papaver dubium [poppy, oriental poppy, corn poppy, field poppy, shirley poppies, field poppy, long-headed poppy, long-pod poppy]; Pedaliaceae such as the genera Sesamum e.g. the species Sesamum indicum [sesame]; Piperaceae such as the genera Piper, Artanthe, Peperomia, Steffensia e.g. the species Piperaduncum, Piperamalago, Piper angustifolium, Piper auritum, Piper betel, Piper cubeba, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Piper retrofractum, Artanthe adunca, Artanthe elongata, Peperomia elongata, Piper elongatum, Steffensia elongata. [Cayenne pepper, wild pepper]; Poaceae such as the genera Hordeum, Secale, Avena, Sorghum, Andropogon, Holcus, Panicum, Oryza, Zea, Triticum e.g. the species Hordeum vulgare, Hordeum jubatum, Hordeum murinum, Hordeum secalinum, Hordeum distichon Hordeum aegiceras, Hordeum hexastlichon, Hordeum hexastlichum, Hordeum irregulare, Hordeum satlivum, Hordeum secalinum [barley, pearl barley, foxtail barley, wall barley, meadow barley], Secale cereale [rye], Avena sativa, Avena fatua, Avena byzantlina, Avena fatua var. sativa, Avena hybrida [oat], Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum halepense, Sorghum saccharatum, Sorghum vulgare, Andropogon drummondi, Holcus bicolor, Holcus sorghum, Sorghum aethiopicum, Sorghum arundinaceum, Sorghum caffrorum, Sorghum cernuum, Sorghum dochna, Sorghum drummondi, Sorghum durra, Sorghum guineense, Sorghum lanceolatum, Sorghum nervosum, Sorghum saccharatum, Sorghum subglabrescens, Sorghum verticilliflorum, Sorghum vulgare, Holcus halepensis, Sorghum miliaceum millet, Panicum mililtaceum [Sorghum, millet], Oryza sativa, Oryza latifolia [rice], Zea mays [corn, maize] Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, Triticum turgidum, Triticum hybernum, Triltlicum macha, Triltlicum satlivum or Triltlicum vulgare [wheat, bread wheat, common wheat], Proteaceae such as the genera Macadamia e.g. the species Macadamia intergrifolia [macadamia]; Rubiaceae such as the genera Coffea e.g. the species Cofea spp., Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora or Coffea iliberica [coffee]; Scrophulariaceae such as the genera Verbascum e.g. the species Verbascum blattaria, Verbascum chalxi, Verbascum densiflorum, Verbascum lagurus, Verbascum longifolium, Verbascum lychniltlis, Verbascum nigrum, Verbascum olympicum, Verbascum phlomoldes, Verbascum phoenicum, Verbascum pulverulentum or Verbascum thapsus [mullein, white moth mullein, nettle-leaved mullein, dense-flowered mullein, silver mullein, long-leaved mullein, white mullein, dark mullein, greek mullein, orange mullein, purple mullein, hoary mullein, great mullein]; Solanaceae such as the genera Capsicum, Nicotiana, Solanum, Lycopersicon e.g. the species Capsicum annuum, Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum, Capsicum frutescens [pepper], Capsicum annuum [paprika], Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana alata, Nicotiana attenuata, Nicotlana glauca, Nicotlana langsdorffi, Nicotlana obtuslfolia, Nicotlana quadrivalvis, Nicotiana repanda, Nicotiana rustlica, Nicotiana sylvestris [tobacco], Solanum tuberosum [potato], Solanum melongena [egg-plant] (Lycopersicon esculentum, Lycopersicon lycopersicum., Lycopersicon pyriforme, Solanum integrifolium or Solanum lycopersicum [tomato]; Sterculiaceae such as the genera Theobroma e.g. the species Theobroma cacao [cacao]; Theaceae such as the genera Camellia e.g. the species Camellia sinensis) [tea].

The introduction of the nucleic acids according to the invention, the expression cassette or the vector into organisms, plants for example, can in principle be done by all of the methods known to those skilled in the art. The introduction of the nucleic acid sequences gives rise to recombinant or transgenic organisms.

The transfer of foreign genes into the genome of a plant is called transformation. In doing this the methods described for the transformation and regeneration of plants from plant tissues or plant cells are utilized for transient or stable transformation. Suitable methods are protoplast transformation by poly(ethylene glycol)-induced DNA uptake, the “biolistic” method using the gene cannon—referred to as the particle bombardment method, electroporation, the incubation of dry embryos in DNA solution, microinjection and gene transfer mediated by Agrobacterium. Said methods are described by way of example in Jenes B. et al., Techniques for Gene Transfer, in: Transgenic Plants, Vol. 1, Engineering and Utilization, eds. Kung S. D and Wu R., Academic Press (1993) 128-143 and in Potrykus, Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Molec. Biol. 42, 205 (1991). The nucleic acids or the construct to be expressed is preferably cloned into a vector which is suitable for transforming Agrobacterium tumefaciens, for example pBin19 (Bevan et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 12, 8711 (1984)). Agrobacteria transformed by such a vector can then be used in known manner for the transformation of plants, in particular of crop plants such as by way of example tobacco plants, for example by bathing bruised leaves or chopped leaves in an agrobacterial solution and then culturing them in suitable media. The transformation of plants by means of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is described, for example, by Höfgen and Willmitzer in Nucl. Acid Res. 16, 9877 (1988) or is known inter alia from White F. F., Vectors for Gene Transfer in Higher Plants; in Transgenic Plants, Vol. 1, Engineering and Utilization, eds. Kung S. D. and Wu R., Academic Press, 1993, pp. 15-38.

Agrobacteria transformed by an expression vector according to the invention may likewise be used in known manner for the transformation of plants such as test plants like Arabidopsis or crop plants such as cereal crops, corn, oats, rye, barley, wheat, soybean, rice, cotton, sugar beet, canola, sunflower, flax, hemp, potatoes, tobacco, tomatoes, carrots, paprika, oilseed rape, tapioca, cassava, arrowroot, tagetes, alfalfa, lettuce and the various tree, nut and vine species, in particular oil-containing crop plants such as soybean, peanut, castor oil plant, sunflower, corn, cotton, flax, oilseed rape, coconut, oil palm, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) or cocoa bean, or in particular corn, wheat, soybean, rice, cotton and canola, e.g. by bathing bruised leaves or chopped leaves in an agrobacterial solution and then culturing them in suitable media.

The genetically modified plant cells may be regenerated by all of the methods known to those skilled in the art. Appropriate methods can be found in the publications referred to above by Kung S. D. and Wu R., Potrykus or Höfgen and Willmitzer.

Accordingly, a further aspect of the invention relates to transgenic organisms transformed by at least one nucleic acid sequence, expression cassette or vector according to the invention as well as cells, cell cultures, tissue, parts—such as, for example, leaves, roots, etc. in the case of plant organisms—or reproductive material derived from such organisms. In one embodiment of the invention host plants for the nucleic acid, expression cassette or vector according to the invention are selected from the group comprising corn, soy, oil seed rape (including canola and winter oil seed rape), cotton, wheat and rice.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to the use of a nucleic acid construct, e.g. an expression cassette, containing one or more DNA sequences encoding one or more polypeptides shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof or comprising one or more nucleic acid molecules as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof or encoding or DNA sequences hybridizing therewith for the transformation of plant cells, tissues or parts of plants.

In doing so, depending on the choice of promoter, the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be expressed specifically in the leaves, in the seeds, the nodules, in roots, in the stem or other parts of the plant. Those transgenic plants overproducing sequences, e.g. as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, the reproductive material thereof, together with the plant cells, tissues or parts thereof are a further object of the present invention.

The expression cassette or the nucleic acid sequences or construct according to the invention containing nucleic acid molecules or sequences as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof can, moreover, also be employed for the transformation of the organisms identified by way of example above such as bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi and plants.

Within the framework of the present invention, increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, relates to, for example, the artificially acquired trait of increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, by comparison with the non-genetically modified initial plants e.g. the trait acquired by genetic modification of the target organism, and due to functional over-expression of one or more polypeptide (sequences) of a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, e.g. encoded by the corresponding nucleic acid molecules as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, and/or homologs, in the organisms according to the invention, advantageously in the transgenic plant according to the invention or produced according to the method of the invention, at least for the duration of at least one plant generation.

A constitutive expression of the polypeptide sequences of a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, encoded by the corresponding nucleic acid molecule as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog ora functional equivalent thereof is, moreover, advantageous. On the other hand, however, an inducible expression may also appear desirable. Expression of the polypeptide sequences of the invention can be either direct to the cytoplasm or the organelles, preferably the plastids of the host cells, preferably the plant cells.

The activity of the protein encoded by variants of the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, encoded by the corresponding nucleic acid molecule as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog ora functional equivalent thereof can be determined, for example, in vitro as described in EXAMPLE 5. In addition, a functional expression of variants of the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, encoded by the corresponding nucleic acid molecule as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, and/or homologs modified in nature and level and its effect on herbicide tolerance or resistance, but also on the metabolic pathways performance can be tested on test plants in greenhouse trials (see EXAMPLE 7).

An additional object of the invention comprises transgenic organisms such as transgenic plants transformed by an expression cassette containing sequences of as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof according to the invention or DNA sequences hybridizing therewith, as well as transgenic cells, tissue, parts and reproduction material of such plants.

Particular preference is given in this case to transgenic crop plants such as by way of example barley, wheat, rye, oats, corn, soybean, rice, cotton, sugar beet, oilseed rape and canola, sunflower, flax, hemp, thistle, potatoes, tobacco, tomatoes, tapioca, cassava, arrowroot, alfalfa, lettuce and the various tree, nut and vine species.

In one embodiment of the invention transgenic plants transformed by an expression cassette containing or comprising nucleic acid molecules or sequences as depicted in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, according to the invention or DNA sequences hybridizing therewith are selected from the group comprising corn, soy, oil seed rape (including canola and winter oil seed rape), cotton, wheat and rice.

For the purposes of the invention plants are mono- and dicotyledonous plants, mosses or algae, especially plants, for example in one embodiment monocotyledonous plants, or for example in another embodiment dicotyledonous plants. A further refinement according to the invention are transgenic plants as described above which contain a nucleic acid sequence or construct according to the invention or a expression cassette according to the invention.

However, transgenic also means that the nucleic acids according to the invention are located at their natural position in the genome of an organism, but that the sequence, e.g. the coding sequence or a regulatory sequence, for example the promoter sequence, has been modified in comparison with the natural sequence. Preferably, transgenic/recombinant is to be understood as meaning the transcription of one or more nucleic acids or molecules of the invention and being shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, occurs at a non-natural position in the genome. In one embodiment, the expression of the nucleic acids or molecules is homologous. In another embodiment, the expression of the nucleic acids or molecules is heterologous. This expression can be transiently or of a sequence integrated stably into the genome.

Advantageous inducible plant promoters are by way of example the PRP1 promoter (Ward et al., Plant. Mol. Biol. 22361 (1993)), a promoter inducible by benzenesulfonamide (EP 388 186), a promoter inducible by tetracycline (Gatz et al., Plant J. 2, 397 (1992)), a promoter inducible by salicylic acid (WO 95/19443), a promoter inducible by abscisic acid (EP 335 528) and a promoter inducible by ethanol or cyclohexanone (WO 93/21334). Other examples of plant promoters which can advantageously be used are the promoter of cytoplasmic FBPase from potato, the ST-LSI promoter from potato (Stockhaus et al., EMBO J. 8, 2445 (1989)), the promoter of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase from Glycine max (see also gene bank accession number U87999) or a nodiene-specific promoter as described in EP 249 676.

Such promoters are known to the person skilled in the art or can be isolated from genes which are induced under the conditions mentioned above. In one embodiment, seed-specific promoters may be used for monocotylodonous or dicotylodonous plants.

In principle all natural promoters with their regulation sequences can be used like those named above for the expression cassette according to the invention and the method according to the invention. Over and above this, synthetic promoters may also advantageously be used. In the preparation of an expression cassette various DNA fragments can be manipulated in order to obtain a nucleotide sequence, which usefully reads in the correct direction and is equipped with a correct reading frame. To connect the DNA fragments (=nucleic acids according to the invention) to one another adaptors or linkers may be attached to the fragments. The promoter and the terminator regions can usefully be provided in the transcription direction with a linker or polylinker containing one or more restriction points for the insertion of this sequence. Generally, the linker has 1 to 10, mostly 1 to 8, preferably 2 to 6, restriction points. In general the size of the linker inside the regulatory region is less than 100 bp, frequently less than 60 bp, but at least 5 bp. The promoter may be both native or homologous as well as foreign or heterologous to the host organism, for example to the host plant. In the 5′-3′ transcription direction the expression cassette contains the promoter, a DNA sequence which shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof and a region for transcription termination. Different termination regions can be exchanged for one another in any desired fashion.

A nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, e.g., a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mutated HPPD polypeptide which confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, in plants, can be isolated using standard molecular biological techniques and the sequence information provided herein. For example, a microbial polypeptide encoding cDNA according to present invention can be isolated from a microbial c-DNA library using all or portion of one of the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. Moreover, a nucleic acid molecule encompassing all or a portion of one of the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof can be isolated by the polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotide primers designed based upon this sequence. For example, mRNA can be isolated from plant cells (e.g., by the guanidinium-thiocyanate extraction procedure of Chirgwin et al., Biochemistry 18, 5294 (1979)) and cDNA can be prepared using reverse transcriptase (e.g., Moloney MLV reverse transcriptase, available from Gibco/BRL, Bethesda, Md.; or AMV reverse transcriptase, available from Seikagaku America, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla.). Synthetic oligonucleotide primers for polymerase chain reaction amplification can be designed based upon one of the nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. A nucleic acid molecule of the invention can be amplified using cDNA or, alternatively, genomic DNA, as a template and appropriate oligonucleotide primers according to standard PCR amplification techniques. The nucleic acid molecule so amplified can be cloned into an appropriate vector and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, the genes employed in the present invention can be prepared by standard synthetic techniques, e.g., using a commercially available automated DNA synthesizer.

In an embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a variant of one of the nucleotide sequences or molecules as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. Moreover, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention can comprise only a portion of the coding region of a variant of one of the sequences or molecules of a nucleic acid as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, for example, a fragment which can be used as a probe or primer or a fragment encoding a biologically active portion of a polypeptide-according to invention.

Portions of proteins encoded by the polynucleotide according to the invention or a polypeptide encoding nucleic acid molecule of the invention are preferably biologically active portions described herein. As used herein, the term “biologically active portion of” a polypeptide is intended to include a portion, e.g. a domain/motif, conferring increased herbicide tolerance or resistance to a plant. To determine whether a polypeptide according to the invention, or a biologically active portion thereof, results in an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance in a plant, an analysis of a plant comprising the mutated HPPD polypeptide may be performed. Such analysis methods are well known to those skilled in the art, as detailed in the Examples. More specifically, nucleic acid fragments encoding biologically active portions of a polypeptide can be prepared by isolating a portion of one of the sequences of the nucleic acid molecules listed in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof expressing the encoded portion of the polypeptide or peptide thereof (e.g., by recombinant expression in vitro) and assessing the activity of the encoded portion.

Biologically active portions of the polypeptide according to the invention are encompassed by the present invention and include peptides comprising amino acid sequences derived from the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoding gene, or the amino acid sequence of a protein homologous to the polypeptide according to the invention, which include fewer amino acids than a full length polypeptide according to the invention or the full length protein which is homologous to the polypeptide according to the invention, and exhibits at least some enzymatic or biological activity of the polypeptide according to the invention. Typically, biologically active portions (e.g., peptides which are, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 50, 100 or more amino acids in length) comprise a domain or motif with at least one activity of the polypeptide according to the invention. Moreover, other biologically active portions in which other regions of the protein are deleted can be prepared by recombinant techniques and evaluated for one or more of the activities described herein. Preferably, the biologically active portions of the polypeptide according to the invention include one or more selected domains/motifs or portions thereof having biological activity.

The term “biological active portion” or “biological activity” means a polypeptide as depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof or a portion of said polypeptide which still has at least 10% or 20%, preferably 30%, 40%, 50% or 60%, especially preferably 70%, 75%, 80%, 90% or 95% of the enzymatic or biological activity of the natural or starting enzyme or protein.

In the process according to the invention nucleic acid sequences or molecules can be used, which, if appropriate, contain synthetic, non-natural or modified nucleotide bases, which can be incorporated into DNA or RNA. Said synthetic, non-natural or modified bases can for example increase the stability of the nucleic acid molecule outside or inside a cell. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention can contain the same modifications as aforementioned.

As used in the present context the term “nucleic acid molecule” may also encompass the untranslated sequence or molecule located at the 3′ and at the 5′ end of the coding gene region, for example at least 500, preferably 200, especially preferably 100, nucleotides of the sequence upstream of the 5′ end of the coding region and at least 100, preferably 50, especially preferably 20, nucleotides of the sequence downstream of the 3′ end of the coding gene region. It is often advantageous only to choose the coding region for cloning and expression purposes.

Preferably, the nucleic acid molecule used in the process according to the invention or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention is an isolated nucleic acid molecule. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention is the nucleic acid molecule used in the process of the invention.

In various embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid molecule used in the process according to the invention may, for example comprise less than approximately 5 kb, 4 kb, 3 kb, 2 kb, 1 kb, 0.5 kb or 0.1 kb nucleotide sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in the genomic DNA of the cell from which the nucleic acid molecule originates.

The nucleic acid molecules used in the process, for example the polynucleotide of the invention or of a part thereof can be isolated using molecular-biological standard techniques and the sequence information provided herein. Also, for example a homologous sequence or homologous, conserved sequence regions at the DNA or amino acid level can be identified with the aid of comparison algorithms. The former can be used as hybridization probes under standard hybridization techniques (for example those described in Sambrook et al., supra) for isolating further nucleic acid sequences useful in this process.

A nucleic acid molecule encompassing a complete sequence of the nucleic acid molecules used in the process, for example the polynucleotide of the invention, or a part thereof may additionally be isolated by polymerase chain reaction, oligonucleotide primers based on this sequence or on parts thereof being used. For example, a nucleic acid molecule comprising the complete sequence or part thereof can be isolated by polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotide primers which have been generated on the basis of this very sequence. For example, mRNA can be isolated from cells (for example by means of the guanidinium thiocyanate extraction method of Chirgwin et al., Biochemistry 18, 5294(1979)) and cDNA can be generated by means of reverse transcriptase (for example Moloney, MLV reverse transcriptase, available from Gibco/BRL, Bethesda, Md., or AMV reverse transcriptase, obtainable from Seikagaku America, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla.).

Synthetic oligonucleotide primers for the amplification by means of polymerase chain reaction can be generated on the basis of a sequence shown herein, using known methods. Moreover, it is possible to identify a conserved protein by carrying out protein sequence alignments with the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention, in particular with the sequences encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog ora functional equivalent thereof, from which conserved regions, and in turn, degenerate primers can be derived. Conserved regions are those, which show a very little variation in the amino acid in one particular position of several homologs from different origin. Moreover, it is possible to identify conserved regions from various organisms by carrying out protein sequence alignments with the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of the present invention, in particular with the sequences of the polypeptide molecule shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, from which conserved regions, and in turn, degenerate primers can be derived.

Conserved domains can be identified from all sequences and are described using a subset of the standard Prosite notation, e.g. the pattern Y-x(21,23)-[FW] means that a conserved tyrosine is separated by minimum 21 and maximum 23 amino acid residues from either a phenylalanine or tryptophane. Patterns can match at least 80% of the investigated proteins. Conserved patterns can be identified with the software tool MEME version 3.5.1 or manually. MEME is described by Timothy L. Bailey and Charles Elkan (Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology, pp. 28-36, AAAI Press, Menlo Park, Calif., 1994). The source code for the stand-alone program is publicly available from the San Diego Supercomputer centre. The Prosite patterns of the conserved domains can be used to search for protein sequences matching this pattern.

Various established Bioinformatic centres provide public internet portals for using those patterns in database searches (e.g. PIR (Protein Information Resource, located at Georgetown University Medical Center) or ExPASy (Expert Protein Analysis System)). Alternatively, stand-alone software is available, like the program Fuzzpro, which is part of the EMBOSS software package. For example, the program Fuzzpro not only allows searching for an exact pattern-protein match but also allows setting various ambiguities in the performed search.

Degenerate primers can then be utilized by PCR for the amplification of fragments of novel proteins having above-mentioned activity, e.g. conferring increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof after increasing the expression or activity or having the activity of a protein as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, ora homolog or a functional equivalent thereof or further functional homologs of the polypeptide of the invention from other organisms.

These fragments can then be utilized as hybridization probe for isolating the complete gene sequence. As an alternative, the missing 5′ and 3′ sequences can be isolated by means of RACE-PCR. A nucleic acid molecule according to the invention can be amplified using cDNA or, as an alternative, genomic DNA as template and suitable oligonucleotide primers, following standard PCR amplification techniques. The nucleic acid molecule amplified thus can be cloned into a suitable vector and characterized by means of DNA sequence analysis. Oligonucleotides, which correspond to one of the nucleic acid molecules used in the process can be generated by standard synthesis methods, for example using an automatic DNA synthesizer.

Nucleic acid molecules which are advantageously for the process according to the invention can be isolated based on their homology to the nucleic acid molecules disclosed herein using the sequences or part thereof as or for the generation of a hybridization probe and following standard hybridization techniques under stringent hybridization conditions. In this context, it is possible to use, for example, isolated one or more nucleic acid molecules of at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60 or more nucleotides, preferably of at least 15, 20 or 25 nucleotides in length which hybridize under stringent conditions with the above-described nucleic acid molecules, in particular with those which encompass a nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule used in the process of the invention or encoding a protein used in the invention or of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention. Nucleic acid molecules with 30, 50, 100, 250 or more nucleotides may also be used.

By “hybridizing” it is meant that such nucleic acid molecules hybridize under conventional hybridization conditions, preferably under stringent conditions such as described by, e.g., Sambrook (Molecular Cloning; A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989)) or in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. (1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6.

According to the invention, DNA as well as RNA molecules of the nucleic acid of the invention can be used as probes. Further, as template for the identification of functional homologues Northern blot assays as well as Southern blot assays can be performed. The Northern blot assay advantageously provides further information about the expressed gene product: e.g. expression pattern, occurrence of processing steps, like splicing and capping, etc. The Southern blot assay provides additional information about the chromosomal localization and organization of the gene encoding the nucleic acid molecule of the invention.

A preferred, non-limiting example of stringent hybridization conditions are hybridizations in 6×sodium chloride/sodium citrate (═SSC) at approximately 45° C., followed by one or more wash steps in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 50 to 65° C., for example at 50° C., 55° C. or 60° C. The skilled worker knows that these hybridization conditions differ as a function of the type of the nucleic acid and, for example when organic solvents are present, with regard to the temperature and concentration of the buffer. The temperature under “standard hybridization conditions” differs for example as a function of the type of the nucleic acid between 42° C. and 58° C., preferably between 45° C. and 50° C. in an aqueous buffer with a concentration of 0.1×, 0.5×, 1×, 2×, 3×, 4× or 5×SSC (pH 7.2). If organic solvent(s) is/are present in the abovementioned buffer, for example 50% formamide, the temperature under standard conditions is approximately 40° C., 42° C. or 45° C. The hybridization conditions for DNA:DNA hybrids are preferably for example 0.1×SSC and 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C. or 45° C., preferably between 30° C. and 45° C. The hybridization conditions for DNA:RNA hybrids are preferably for example 0.1×SSC and 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C. or 55° C., preferably between 45° C. and 55° C. The abovementioned hybridization temperatures are determined for example for a nucleic acid approximately 100 bp (=base pairs) in length and a G+C content of 50% in the absence of formamide. The skilled worker knows to determine the hybridization conditions required with the aid of textbooks, for example the ones mentioned above, or from the following textbooks: Sambrook et al., “Molecular Cloning”, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1989; Hames and Higgins (Ed.) 1985, “Nucleic Acids Hybridization: A Practical Approach”, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford; Brown (Ed.) 1991, “Essential Molecular Biology: A Practical Approach”, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford.

A further example of one such stringent hybridization condition is hybridization at 4×SSC at 65° C., followed by a washing in 0.1×SSC at 65° C. for one hour. Alternatively, an exemplary stringent hybridization condition is in 50% formamide, 4×SSC at 42° C. Further, the conditions during the wash step can be selected from the range of conditions delimited by low-stringency conditions (approximately 2×SSC at 50° C.) and high-stringency conditions (approximately 0.2×SSC at 50° C., preferably at 65° C.) (20×SSC: 0.3 M sodium citrate, 3 M NaCl, pH 7.0). In addition, the temperature during the wash step can be raised from low-stringency conditions at room temperature, approximately 22° C., to higher-stringency conditions at approximately 65° C. Both of the parameters salt concentration and temperature can be varied simultaneously, or else one of the two parameters can be kept constant while only the other is varied. Denaturants, for example formamide or SDS, may also be employed during the hybridization. In the presence of 50% formamide, hybridization is preferably effected at 42° C. Relevant factors like 1) length of treatment, 2) salt conditions, 3) detergent conditions, 4) competitor DNAs, 5) temperature and 6) probe selection can be combined case by case so that not all possibilities can be mentioned herein.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, Northern blots are prehybridized with Rothi-Hybri-Quick buffer (Roth, Karlsruhe) at 68° C. for 2 h. Hybridization with radioactive labelled probe is done overnight at 68° C. Subsequent washing steps are performed at 68° C. with 1×SSC. For Southern blot assays the membrane is prehybridized with Rothi-Hybri-Quick buffer (Roth, Karlsruhe) at 68° C. for 2 h. The hybridzation with radioactive labelled probe is conducted over night at 68° C. Subsequently the hybridization buffer is discarded and the filter shortly washed using 2×SSC; 0.1% SDS. After discarding the washing buffer new 2×SSC; 0.1% SDS buffer is added and incubated at 68° C. for 15 minutes. This washing step is performed twice followed by an additional washing step using 1×SSC; 0.1% SDS at 68° C. for 10 min. Some examples of conditions for DNA hybridization (Southern blot assays) and wash step are shown herein below:

-   (1) Hybridization conditions can be selected, for example, from the     following conditions:     -   (a) 4×SSC at 65° C.,     -   (b) 6×SSC at 45° C.,     -   (c) 6×SSC, 100 mg/ml denatured fragmented fish sperm DNA at 68°         C.,     -   (d) 6×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 100 mg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA at 68°         C.,     -   (e) 6×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 100 mg/ml denatured fragmented salmon sperm         DNA, 50% formamide at 42° C.,     -   (f) 50% formamide, 4×SSC at 42° C.,     -   (g) 50% (v/v) formamide, 0.1% bovine serum albumin, 0.1% Ficoll,         0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.5,         750 mM NaCl, 75 mM sodium citrate at 42° C.,     -   (h) 2× or 4×SSC at 50° C. (low-stringency condition), or     -   (i) 30 to 40% formamide, 2× or 4×SSC at 42° C. (low-stringency         condition). -   (2) Wash steps can be selected, for example, from the following     conditions:     -   (a) 0.015 M NaCl/0.0015 M sodium citrate/0.1% SDS at 50° C.     -   (b) 0.1×SSC at 65° C.     -   (c) 0.1×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 68° C.     -   (d) 0.1×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide at 42° C.     -   (e) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 42° C.     -   (f) 2×SSC at 65° C. (low-stringency condition).

Polypeptides having above-mentioned activity, i.e. conferring increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof, derived from other organisms, can be encoded by other DNA sequences which hybridize to the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, under relaxed hybridization conditions and which code on expression for peptides conferring the increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof.

Further, some applications have to be performed at low stringency hybridization conditions, without any consequences for the specificity of the hybridization. For example, a Southern blot analysis of total DNA could be probed with a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention and washed at low stringency (55° C. in 2×SSPE, 0.1% SDS). The hybridization analysis could reveal a simple pattern of only genes encoding polypeptides of the present invention or used in the process of the invention, e.g. having the herein-mentioned activity of enhancing the increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof. A further example of such low-stringent hybridization conditions is 4×SSC at 50° C. or hybridization with 30 to 40% formamide at 42° C. Such molecules comprise those which are fragments, analogues or derivatives of the polypeptide of the invention or used in the process of the invention and differ, for example, by way of amino acid and/or nucleotide deletion(s), insertion(s), substitution (s), addition(s) and/or recombination (s) or any other modification(s) known in the art either alone or in combination from the above-described amino acid sequences or their underlying nucleotide sequence(s). However, it is preferred to use high stringency hybridization conditions.

Hybridization should advantageously be carried out with fragments of at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40 bp, advantageously at least 50, 60, 70 or 80 bp, preferably at least 90, 100 or 110 bp. Most preferably are fragments of at least 15, 20, 25 or 30 bp. Preferably are also hybridizations with at least 100 bp or 200, very especially preferably at least 400 bp in length. In an especially preferred embodiment, the hybridization should be carried out with the entire nucleic acid sequence with conditions described above.

The terms “fragment”, “fragment of a sequence” or “part of a sequence” mean a truncated sequence of the original sequence referred to. The truncated sequence (nucleic acid or protein sequence) can vary widely in length; the minimum size being a sequence of sufficient size to provide a sequence with at least a comparable function and/or activity of the original sequence or molecule referred to or hybridizing with the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or used in the process of the invention under stringent conditions, while the maximum size is not critical. In some applications, the maximum size usually is not substantially greater than that required to provide the desired activity and/or function(s) of the original sequence.

Typically, the truncated amino acid sequence or molecule will range from about 5 to about 310 amino acids in length. More typically, however, the sequence will be a maximum of about 250 amino acids in length, preferably a maximum of about 200 or 100 amino acids. It is usually desirable to select sequences of at least about 10, 12 or 15 amino acids, up to a maximum of about 20 or 25 amino acids.

The term “epitope” relates to specific immunoreactive sites within an antigen, also known as antigenic determinates. These epitopes can be a linear array of monomers in a polymeric composition—such as amino acids in a protein—or consist of or comprise a more complex secondary or tertiary structure. Those of skill will recognize that immunogens (i.e., substances capable of eliciting an immune response) are antigens; however, some antigen, such as haptens, are not immunogens but may be made immunogenic by coupling to a carrier molecule. The term “antigen” includes references to a substance to which an antibody can be generated and/or to which the antibody is specifically immunoreactive.

In one embodiment the present invention relates to a epitope of the polypeptide of the present invention or used in the process of the present invention and confers an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof.

The term “one or several amino acids” relates to at least one amino acid but not more than that number of amino acids, which would result in a homology of below 50% identity. Preferably, the identity is more than 70% or 80%, more preferred are 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94% or 95%, even more preferred are 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity.

Further, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a nucleic acid molecule, which is a complement of one of the nucleotide sequences of above mentioned nucleic acid molecules or a portion thereof. A nucleic acid molecule or its sequence which is complementary to one of the nucleotide molecules or sequences shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, is one which is sufficiently complementary to one of the nucleotide molecules or sequences shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof such that it can hybridize to one of the nucleotide sequences shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, thereby forming a stable duplex. Preferably, the hybridization is performed under stringent hybrization conditions. However, a complement of one of the herein disclosed sequences is preferably a sequence complement thereto according to the base pairing of nucleic acid molecules well known to the skilled person. For example, the bases A and G undergo base pairing with the bases T and U or C, resp. and visa versa. Modifications of the bases can influence the base-pairing partner.

The nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a nucleotide sequence which is at least about 30%, 35%, 40% or 45%, preferably at least about 50%, 55%, 60% or 65%, more preferably at least about 70%, 80%, or 90%, and even more preferably at least about 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homologous to a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or a portion thereof and preferably has above mentioned activity, in particular having a herbicide tolerance or resistance increasing activity after increasing the activity or an activity of a gene as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof or of a gene product, by for example expression either in the cytosol or cytoplasm or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria or both, preferably in plastids.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecules comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog ora functional equivalent thereof or gene products encoded by said nucleic acid molecules are expressed in combination with a targeting signal as described herein.

The nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a nucleotide sequence or molecule which hybridizes, preferably hybridizes under stringent conditions as defined herein, to one of the nucleotide sequences or molecule shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or a portion thereof and encodes a protein having above-mentioned activity, e.g. conferring an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof by for example expression either in the cytosol or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria or both, preferably in plastids, and optionally, having the activity of an mutated HPPD enzyme.

Moreover, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention can comprise only a portion of the coding region of one of the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, for example a fragment which can be used as a probe or primer or a fragment encoding a biologically active portion of the polypeptide of the present invention or of a polypeptide used in the process of the present invention, i.e. having above-mentioned activity, e.g. conferring an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof f its activity is increased by for example expression either in the cytosol or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria or both, preferably in plastids. The nucleotide sequences determined from the cloning of the present protein-according-to-the-invention-encoding gene allows for the generation of probes and primers designed for use in identifying and/or cloning its homologues in other cell types and organisms. The probe/primer typically comprises substantially purified oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide typically comprises a region of nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to at least about 12, 15 preferably about 20 or 25, more preferably about 40, 50 or 75 consecutive nucleotides of a sense strand of one of the sequences set forth, e.g., in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, an anti-sense sequence of one of the sequences, e.g., set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or naturally occurring mutants thereof.

Primers based on a nucleotide of invention can be used in PCR reactions to clone homologues of the polypeptide of the invention or of the polypeptide used in the process of the invention, e.g. as the primers described in the examples of the present invention, e.g. as shown in the examples. A PCR with primers based on SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31 will result in a fragment of the gene product as shown SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

Primer sets are interchangeable. The person skilled in the art knows to combine said primers to result in the desired product, e.g. in a full length clone or a partial sequence. Probes based on the sequences of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or used in the process of the present invention can be used to detect transcripts or genomic sequences encoding the same or homologous proteins. The probe can further comprise a label group attached thereto, e.g. the label group can be a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, an enzyme, or an enzyme co-factor. Such probes can be used as a part of a genomic marker test kit for identifying cells which express an polypeptide of the invention or used in the process of the present invention, such as by measuring a level of an encoding nucleic acid molecule in a sample of cells, e.g., detecting mRNA levels or determining, whether a genomic gene comprising the sequence of the polynucleotide of the invention or used in the processes of the present invention has been mutated or deleted.

The nucleic acid molecule of the invention encodes a polypeptide or portion thereof which includes an amino acid sequence which is sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof such that the protein or portion thereof maintains the ability to participate in increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof, in particular increasing the activity as mentioned above or as described in the examples in plants is comprised.

As used herein, the language “sufficiently homologous” refers to proteins or portions thereof which have amino acid sequences which include a minimum number of identical or equivalent amino acid residues (e.g., an amino acid residue which has a similar side chain as an amino acid residue in one of the sequences of the polypeptide of the present invention) to an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof such that the protein or portion thereof is able to participate in increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleic acid that encodes a portion of the protein of the present invention. The protein is at least about 30%, 35%, 40%, 45% or 50%, preferably at least about 55%, 60%, 65% or 70%, and more preferably at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93% or 94% and most preferably at least about 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homologous to an entire variant of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, and having above-mentioned activity, e.g. conferring an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof by for example expression either in the cytosol or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria or both, preferably in plastids.

Portions of proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention are preferably biologically active, preferably having above-mentioned annotated activity, e.g. conferring an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof after increase of activity.

As mentioned herein, the term “biologically active portion” is intended to include a portion, e.g., a domain/motif, that confers an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, e.g. an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance-related trait, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof or has an immunological activity such that it is binds to an antibody binding specifically to the polypeptide of the present invention or a polypeptide used in the process of the present invention for increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof.

The invention further relates to nucleic acid molecules that differ from one of the nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof (and portions thereof) due to degeneracy of the genetic code and thus encode a polypeptide of the present invention, in particular a polypeptide having above mentioned activity, e.g. as that polypeptides depicted by the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or the functional homologues. Advantageously, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises, or in an other embodiment has, a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising, or in an other embodiment having, a variant of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or the functional homologues. In a still further embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention encodes a full length protein which is substantially homologous to a variant of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or the functional homologues.

In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that DNA sequence polymorphisms that lead to changes in the amino acid sequences may exist within a population. Such genetic polymorphism in the gene encoding the polypeptide of the invention or comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention may exist among individuals within a population due to natural variation.

Nucleic acid molecules corresponding to natural variants homologues of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, which can also be a cDNA, can be isolated based on their homology to the nucleic acid molecules disclosed herein using the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, or a portion thereof, as a hybridization probe according to standard hybridization techniques under stringent hybridization conditions.

Accordingly, in another embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule of the invention is at least 15, 20, 25 or 30 nucleotides in length. Preferably, it hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or used in the process of the present invention, e.g. comprising the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. The nucleic acid molecule is preferably at least 20, 30, 50, 100, 250 or more nucleotides in length.

The term “hybridizes under stringent conditions” is defined above. In one embodiment, the term “hybridizes under stringent conditions” is intended to describe conditions for hybridization and washing under which nucleotide sequences at least 30%, 40%, 50% or 65% identical to each other typically remain hybridized to each other. Preferably, the conditions are such that sequences at least about 70%, more preferably at least about 75% or 80%, and even more preferably at least about 85%, 90% or 95% or more identical to each other typically remain hybridized to each other.

Preferably, nucleic acid molecule of the invention that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof corresponds to a naturally-occurring nucleic acid molecule of the invention. As used herein, a “naturally-occurring” nucleic acid molecule refers to an RNA or DNA molecule having a nucleotide sequence that occurs in nature (e.g., encodes a natural protein). Preferably, the nucleic acid molecule encodes a natural protein having above-mentioned activity, e.g. conferring increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, after increasing the expression or activity thereof or the activity of a protein of the invention or used in the process of the invention by for example expression the nucleic acid sequence of the gene product in the cytosol and/or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria, preferably in plastids.

The term “variant” with respect to a sequence (e.g., a polypeptide or nucleic acid sequence such as—for example—a transcription regulating nucleotide sequence of the invention) is intended to mean substantially similar sequences. For nucleotide sequences comprising an open reading frame, variants include those sequences that, because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, encode the identical amino acid sequence of the native protein. Naturally occurring allelic variants such as these can be identified with the use of well-known molecular biology techniques, as, for example, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization techniques.

In addition to naturally-occurring variants of the sequences of the polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule of the invention as well as of the polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule used in the process of the invention that may exist in the population, the skilled artisan will further appreciate that changes can be introduced by mutation into a nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide of the invention or used in the process of the present invention, thereby leading to changes in the amino acid sequence of the encoded said polypeptide, without altering the functional ability of the polypeptide, preferably not decreasing said activity.

Variant nucleotide sequences also include synthetically derived nucleotide sequences, such as those generated, for example, by using site-directed mutagenesis and for open reading frames, encode the native protein, as well as those that encode a polypeptide having amino acid substitutions relative to the native protein, e.g. the mutated HPPD according to the present invention as disclosed hereinafter. Generally, nucleotide sequence variants of the invention will have at least 30, 40, 50, 60, to 70%, e.g., preferably 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, to 79%, generally at least 80%, e.g., 81%-84%, at least 85%, e.g., 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, to 98% and 99% nucleotide “sequence identity” to the nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32.

By “variant” polypeptide is intended a polypeptide derived from the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, by deletion (so-called truncation) or addition of one or more amino acids to the N-terminal and/or C-terminal end of the native protein; deletion or addition of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native protein; or substitution of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native protein.

Such variants may result from, for example, genetic polymorphism or from human manipulation. Methods for such manipulations are generally known in the art. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mutant variant of a HPPD polypeptide refers to a substitution of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32.

A substitution refers to replacement of amino acids of the protein with other amino acids, e.g. with other amino acids having similar properties (such as similar hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, antigenicity, propensity to form or break α-helical structures or 1-sheet structures).

Amino acid substitutions are typically of single residues, but may be clustered depending upon functional constraints placed upon the polypeptide and may range from 1 to 10 amino acids; insertions will usually be of the order of about 1 to 10 amino acid residues. The amino acid substitutions can be conservative amino acid substitutions. Conservative substitution tables are well known in the art (see for example Creighton (1984) Proteins. W.H. Freeman and Company (Eds). Amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions may readily be made using peptide synthetic techniques well known in the art, such as solid phase peptide synthesis and the like, or by recombinant DNA manipulation. Methods for the manipulation of DNA sequences to produce substitution, insertion or deletion variants of a protein are well known in the art. For example, techniques for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA are well known to those skilled in the art and include M13 mutagenesis, T7-Gen in vitro mutagenesis (USB, Cleveland, Ohio), QuickChange Site Directed mutagenesis (Stratagene, San Diego, Calif.), PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis or other site-directed mutagenesis protocols

More specifically, the term “variant” refers to a HPPD nucleic acid having a sequence that is mutated from a wild-type HPPD nucleic acid such as SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or refers to a polypeptide having a sequence that is mutated from a wild-type HPPD polypeptide, such as SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or homologues thereof; and that confers increased HPPD-inhibiting herbicide tolerance to a plant in which it is expressed. Furthermore, the term “mutated HPPD” refers to the replacement of an amino acid of the wild-type primary sequences SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32.

For example, nucleotide substitutions leading to amino acid substitutions can be made in a sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or used in the process of the invention, e.g. shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

A “non-essential” amino acid residue is a residue that can be altered from the wild-type sequence of one without altering the activity of said polypeptide, whereas an “essential” amino acid residue is required for an activity as mentioned above, e.g. leading to increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof in an organism after an increase of activity of the polypeptide. Other amino acid residues, however, (e.g., those that are not conserved or only semi-conserved in the domain having said activity) may not be essential for activity and thus are likely to be amenable to alteration without altering said activity.

Further, a person skilled in the art knows that the codon usage between organisms can differ. Therefore, he may adapt the codon usage in the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention to the usage of the organism or the cell compartment for example of the plastid or mitochondria in which the polynucleotide or polypeptide is expressed. Examples of codon-adapted nucleic acids are show in SEQ ID NO: 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38. In a particular preferred embodiment, codon-adapted nucleic acid molecules of the present invention comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, 34, or 35, which represent codon-adapted nucleic acid molecules corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 9.

Accordingly, the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding a polypeptide having above-mentioned activity, in an organism or parts thereof by for example expression either in the cytosol or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria or both, that contain changes in amino acid residues that are not essential for said activity.

Such polypeptides differ in amino acid sequence from a sequence contained in the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof yet retain said activity described herein. The nucleic acid molecule can comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence at least about 50% identical to an amino acid sequence shown SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof and is capable of participation in increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof after increasing its activity, e.g. its expression by for example expression either in the cytosol or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria or both, preferably in plastids. Preferably, the protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule is at least about 60% identical to the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof, more preferably at least about 70% identical to one of the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof, even more preferably at least about 80%, 90%, 95% homologous to the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof, and most preferably at least about 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof.

In a specifically preferred embodiment of the present invention, the variant of a HPPD polypeptide differs in the amino acid sequence at one or more positions corresponding to or at positions 30, 39, 54, 57, 84, 210, 212, 223, 243, 247, 249, 251, 264, 291, 306, 317, 318, 319, 321, 326, 327, 331, 341, 342, 345, 350, 363, 367, 373, 374, 375, 379, 405, 407, 410, 412, 414, 419, 421, or 422 of the sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:4. More specifically, the variant of a HPPD polypeptide has a substitution of one or more amino acids corresponding to or at positions 30, 39, 54, 57, 84, 210, 212, 223, 243, 247, 249, 251, 264, 291, 306, 317, 318, 319, 321, 326, 327, 331, 341, 342, 345, 350, 363, 367, 373, 374, 375, 379, 405, 407, 410, 412, 414, 419, 421, or 422 of SEQ ID NO:4.

To determine the percentage homology (=identity, herein used interchangeably) of two amino acid sequences or of two nucleic acid molecules, the sequences are written one underneath the other for an optimal comparison (for example gaps may be inserted into the sequence of a protein or of a nucleic acid in order to generate an optimal alignment with the other protein or the other nucleic acid).

The amino acid residues or nucleic acid molecules at the corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. If a position in one sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or the same nucleic acid molecule as the corresponding position in the other sequence, the molecules are homologous at this position (i.e. amino acid or nucleic acid “homology” as used in the present context corresponds to amino acid or nucleic acid “identity”. The percentage homology between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e. % homology=number of identical positions/total number of positions×100). The terms “homology” and “identity” are thus to be considered as synonyms.

For the determination of the percentage homology (=identity) of two or more amino acids or of two or more nucleotide sequences several computer software programs have been developed. The homology of two or more sequences can be calculated with for example the software fasta, which presently has been used in the version fasta 3 (W. R. Pearson and D. J. Lipman, PNAS 85, 2444(1988); W. R. Pearson, Methods in Enzymology 183, 63 (1990); W. R. Pearson and D. J. Lipman, PNAS 85, 2444 (1988); W. R. Pearson, Enzymology 183, 63 (1990)). Another useful program for the calculation of homologies of different sequences is the standard blast program, which is included in the Biomax pedant software (Biomax, Munich, Federal Republic of Germany). This leads unfortunately sometimes to suboptimal results since blast does not always include complete sequences of the subject and the querry. Nevertheless as this program is very efficient it can be used for the comparison of a huge number of sequences. The following settings are typically used for such a comparisons of sequences: -p Program Name [String]; -d Database [String]; default=nr; -i Query File [File In]; default=stdin; -e Expectation value (E) [Real]; default=10.0; -m alignment view options: 0=pairwise; 1=query-anchored showing identities; 2=query-anchored no identities; 3=flat query-anchored, show identities; 4=flat query-anchored, no identities; 5=query-anchored no identities and blunt ends; 6=flat query-anchored, no identities and blunt ends; 7=XML Blast output; 8=tabular; 9 tabular with comment lines [Integer]; default=0; -o BLAST report Output File [File Out] Optional; default=stdout; -F Filter query sequence (DUST with blastn, SEG with others) [String]; default=T; -G Cost to open a gap (zero invokes default behavior) [Integer]; default=0; -E Cost to extend a gap (zero invokes default behavior) [Integer]; default=0; -X X dropoff value for gapped alignment (in bits) (zero invokes default behavior); blastn 30, megablast 20, tblastx 0, all others 15 [Integer]; default=0; -I Show Gl's in deflines [T/F]; default=F; -q Penalty for a nucleotide mismatch (blastn only) [Integer]; default=−3; -r Reward for a nucleotide match (blastn only) [Integer]; default=1; -v Number of database sequences to show one-line descriptions for (V) [Integer]; default=500; -b Number of database sequence to show alignments for (B) [Integer]; default=250; -f Threshold for extending hits, default if zero; blastp 11, blastn 0, blastx 12, tblastn 13; tblastx 13, megablast 0 [Integer]; default=0; -g Perfom gapped alignment (not available with tblastx) [T/F]; default=T; -Q Query Genetic code to use [Integer]; default=1; -D DB Genetic code (for tblast[nx] only) [Integer]; default=1; -a Number of processors to use [Integer]; default=1; -O SeqAlign file [File Out] Optional; -J Believe the query defline [T/F]; default=F; -M Matrix [String]; default=BLOSUM62; -W Word size, default if zero (blastn 11, megablast 28, all others 3) [Integer]; default=0; -z Effective length of the database (use zero for the real size) [Real]; default=0; -K Number of best hits from a region to keep (off by default, if used a value of 100 is recommended) [Integer]; default=0; -P 0 for multiple hit, 1 for single hit [Integer]; default=0; -Y Effective length of the search space (use zero for the real size) [Real]; default=0; -S Query strands to search against database (for blast[nx], and tblastx); 3 is both, 1 is top, 2 is bottom [Integer]; default=3; -T Produce HTML output [T/F]; default=F; -I Restrict search of database to list of Gl's [String] Optional; -U Use lower case filtering of FASTA sequence [T/F] Optional; default=F; -y X dropoff value for ungapped extensions in bits (0.0 invokes default behavior); blastn 20, megablast 10, all others 7 [Real]; default=0.0; -Z X dropoff value for final gapped alignment in bits (0.0 invokes default behavior); blastn/megablast 50, tblastx 0, all others 25 [Integer]; default=0; -R PSI-TBLASTN checkpoint file [File In] Optional; -n MegaBlast search [T/F]; default=F; -L Location on query sequence [String] Optional; -A Multiple Hits window size, default if zero (blastn/megablast 0, all others 40 [Integer]; default=0; -w Frame shift penalty (OOF algorithm for blastx) [Integer]; default=0; -t Length of the largest intron allowed in tblastn for linking HSPs (0 disables linking) [Integer]; default=0.

Results of high quality are reached by using the algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch or Smith and Waterman. Therefore programs based on said algorithms are preferred. Advantageously the comparisons of sequences can be done with the program PileUp (J. Mol. Evolution., 25, 351 (1987), Higgins et al., CABIOS 5, 151 (1989)) or preferably with the programs “Gap” and “Needle”, which are both based on the algorithms of Needleman and Wunsch (J. Mol. Biol. 48; 443 (1970)), and “BestFit”, which is based on the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math. 2; 482 (1981)). “Gap” and “BestFit” are part of the GCG software-package (Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis., USA 53711 (1991); Altschul et al., (Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 3389 (1997)), “Needle” is part of the The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite (EMBOSS) (Trends in Genetics 16 (6), 276 (2000)). Therefore preferably the calculations to determine the percentages of sequence homology are done with the programs “Gap” or “Needle” over the whole range of the sequences. The following standard adjustments for the comparison of nucleic acid sequences were used for “Needle”: matrix: EDNAFULL, Gap_penalty: 10.0, Extend_penalty: 0.5. The following standard adjustments for the comparison of nucleic acid sequences were used for “Gap”: gap weight: 50, length weight: 3, average match: 10.000, average mismatch: 0.000.

For example a sequence, which has 80% homology with sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 at the nucleic acid level is understood as meaning a sequence which, upon comparison with the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 by the above program “Needle” with the above parameter set, has a 80% homology.

Homology between two polypeptides is understood as meaning the identity of the amino acid sequence over in each case the entire sequence length which is calculated by comparison with the aid of the above program “Needle” using Matrix: EBLOSUM62, Gap_penalty: 8.0, Extend_penalty: 2.0.

For example a sequence which has a 80% homology with sequence SEQ ID NO: 2 at the protein level is understood as meaning a sequence which, upon comparison with the sequence SEQ ID NO: 2 by the above program “Needle” with the above parameter set, has a 80% homology.

Functional equivalents or variants derived from the nucleic acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog thereof according to the invention by substitution, insertion or deletion have at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45% or 50%, preferably at least 55%, 60%, 65% or 70% by preference at least 80%, especially preferably at least 85% or 90%, 91%, 92%, 93% or 94%, very especially preferably at least 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% homology with one of the nucleic acids as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog thereof according to the invention and encode polypeptides having essentially the same properties as the polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof.

Functional equivalents or variants derived from one of the polypeptides as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof according to the invention by substitution, insertion or deletion have at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45% or 50%, preferably at least 55%, 60%, 65% or 70% by preference at least 80%, especially preferably at least 85% or 90%, 91%, 92%, 93% or 94%, very especially preferably at least 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% homology with one of the polypeptides as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof according to the invention and having essentially the same properties as the polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog thereof.

“Essentially the same properties” of a functional equivalent or variant is above all understood as meaning that the functional equivalent has above mentioned activity, by for example expression either in the cytosol or in an organelle such as a plastid or mitochondria or both, preferably in plastids while increasing the amount of protein, activity or function of said functional equivalent in an organism, e.g. a microorgansim, a plant or plant tissue or animal tissue, plant or animal cells or a part of the same.

A nucleic acid molecule encoding an homologous to a protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof can be created by introducing one or more nucleotide substitutions, additions or deletions into a nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, in particular of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof such that one or more amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions are introduced into the encoded protein. Mutations can be introduced into the encoding sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof by standard techniques, such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis.

A “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophane), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophane, histidine).

Thus, a predicted nonessential amino acid residue in a polypeptide of the invention or a polypeptide used in the process of the invention is preferably replaced with another amino acid residue from the same family.

According to the present invention, mutations are introduced randomly along all or part of a coding sequence of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention or used in the process of the invention, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resultant mutants can be screened for activity described herein to identify mutants that retain or even have increased above mentioned activity, e.g. conferring increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof.

The inventors of the present invention have found out that by substituting the amino acids at some positions in the HPPD polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein, the capability of said HPPD polypeptides could e increased.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD of the present invention comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, which comprises one or more of the following:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 30 is other than proline, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 39 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 54 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 57 is other than Met, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 84 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 210 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 212 is other than Asn, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 223 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 243 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 247 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 249 is other than Ser, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is other than Val, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 264 is other than Asn, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 291 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 306 is other than His, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is other than Gin, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 319 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is other than Lys, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 327 is other than Arg, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 331 is other than Lys, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 341 is other than Trp, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 342 is other than Ala, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 363 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is other than Leu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 373 is other than Ile, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 374 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is other than Ile, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 379 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 405 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 407 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 410 is other than Gly, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 412 is other than Phe, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 414 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 419 is other than Ile, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 421 is other than Glu, the amino acid corresponding to or at position 422 is other than Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is Val, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is Leu.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is Val, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is Leu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 39 is Leu.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 367 is Val, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 375 is Leu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 39 is Trp.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred Gin

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 341 is Ile.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is Glu.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is Asp.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 326 is Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred Pro.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 319 is Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Val, particularly preferred Pro.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Pro, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 319 is Pro.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred Met.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 405 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr, particularly preferred Ala.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred His or Met.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 379 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Arg.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Gly.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Arg, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Asn.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 210 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is His, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Gly, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Met, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Gly, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 345 is Gin.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 363 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred Ile.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 419 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 249 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 247 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 407 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 306 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val, particularly preferred Lys.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 30 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 54 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 57 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 84 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 212 is Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 223 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 243 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 264 is Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 291 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 327 is Ala, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 331 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 342 is Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 373 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 374 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 410 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 412 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 414 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 421 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 422 is Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gin, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is Ala, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 405 is Asp.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 327 is Gly, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 421 is Asp.

In another preferred embodiment, the mutated HPPD comprises a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof, in which:

the amino acid corresponding to or at position 251 is Ala, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 306 is Arg, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 317 is Leu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 318 is Pro, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 321 is Pro, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 331 is Glu, and the amino acid corresponding to or at position 350 is Met.

Following mutagenesis of one of the sequences as shown herein, the encoded protein can be expressed recombinantly and the activity of the protein can be determined using, for example, assays described herein.

Preferred mutational sites in the HPPD sequences as disclosed herein are depicted in Table 2

TABLE 2 ID Pos 1 Pos 2 Pos 3 Pos 4 Pos 5 Pos 6 Pos 7 Pos 8 Pos 9 Pos 10 Pos 11 Pos 12 Pos 13 2 P30 F39 G54 M57 F84 V210 N212 V223 V243 L247 S249 V251 N264 4 P30 F39 G54 M57 F84 V210 N212 V223 V243 L247 S249 V251 N264 6 T42 F51 G66 M69 F96 V232 N234 V245 S265 L269 S271 V273 N286 8 T42 F51 G66 M69 F96 V231 N233 V244 S264 L268 S270 V272 N285 10 H46 F55 G70 M73 F100 V221 N223 V234 A254 L258 S260 V262 N275 12 P7 L16 A31 Y34 L61 V172 N174 Y187 E207 L211 S213 V215 N228 14 P7 F16 A31 Y34 L61 V172 N174 Y187 D207 L211 S213 V215 N228 16 P7 F16 A31 F34 L61 V172 N174 Y187 E207 L211 S213 V215 N228 18 L7 F16 G31 L34 L61 V168 N170 Y183 D203 L207 S209 V211 N223 20 P9 F18 A33 Y36 L63 V173 N175 Y188 E208 L212 S214 V216 N229 22 P7 L16 A31 F34 I61 V172 N174 Y187 E207 L211 S213 V215 N228 24 P38 W47 A62 M65 F92 V207 N209 Y222 R242 L246 S248 V250 N263 26 A16 M25 A40 F43 L70 V181 N183 Y196 E216 L220 S222 V224 N237 28 P54 F63 A78 F81 L108 V219 N221 Y234 E254 L258 S260 V262 N275 30 P17 F26 A41 F44 F71 V182 N184 Y197 E217 L221 S223 V225 N238 32 P38 W47 A62 M65 F92 V207 N209 Y222 D242 L246 S248 V250 N263 40 H38 F47 A62 A65 F92 V213 N215 I226 T246 L250 S252 V254 N267 42 K43 F52 G67 M70 F97 V228 N230 V241 A261 L265 S267 V269 N282 ID Pos 14 Pos 15 Pos 16 Pos 17 Pos 18 Pos 19 Pos 20 Pos 21 Pos 22 2 L291 H306 Q317 A318 A319 G321 K326 R327 K331 4 L291 H306 Q317 A318 A319 G321 K326 R327 K331 6 L313 R328 M339 P340 S341 P343 R348 N349 R353 8 L312 R327 M338 P339 S340 P342 R347 N348 R352 10 L302 R317 M328 P329 P330 P332 R337 N338 R342 12 M254 R269 L276 E277 V278 — D284 D285 L287 14 L254 R269 L276 E277 V278 — D284 D285 L287 16 I254 R269 L276 Y277 V278 — E284 D285 I287 18 I249 K264 L271 Q272 T273 — D279 T280 T282 20 I255 R270 L277 H278 V279 — E285 D286 E288 22 M254 R269 L276 E277 V278 — D284 D285 L287 24 L289 R304 L311 D312 T313 — D319 D320 W324 26 I263 R278 L285 R286 T287 — S293 A294 A296 28 L301 Q316 L323 T324 V325 — D331 T332 T334 30 V264 Q279 L286 K287 V288 — T294 E295 E297 32 V289 R304 L311 A312 T313 — E319 D320 R324 40 I294 R309 L320 P321 P322 L324 E329 G330 L334 42 L309 R324 M335 P336 S337 P339 Q344 N345 R349 ID Pos 23 Pos 24 Pos 25 Pos 26 Pos 27 Pos 28 Pos 29 Pos 30 Pos 31 2 W341 A342 E345 L350 F363 L367 I373 F374 I375 4 W341 A342 E345 L350 F363 L367 I373 F374 I375 6 I363 K364 E367 L372 F385 V389 I395 F396 I397 8 I362 K363 E366 L371 F384 V388 I394 F395 I396 10 M352 V353 E356 L361 F374 V378 I384 F385 L386 12 L297 Q298 K301 L306 F319 I323 L329 F330 F331 14 L297 Q298 K301 L306 F319 V323 V329 F330 Y331 16 M297 E298 R301 L306 F319 V323 V329 F330 Y331 18 I292 E293 K296 L301 F314 L318 V324 F325 F326 20 M298 D299 R302 L307 F320 V324 V330 F331 Y332 22 L297 Q298 K301 L306 F319 V323 L329 F330 F331 24 V334 E335 R338 L343 F356 L360 V366 F367 F368 26 Y306 N307 Q310 L315 F328 V332 V338 F339 Y340 28 L344 E345 K348 L353 F366 V370 V376 F377 F378 30 I307 E308 E311 L316 F329 V333 L339 F340 Y341 32 I334 E335 Q338 L343 F356 L360 V366 F367 F368 40 I344 K345 Q348 L353 F366 V370 L376 F377 L378 42 I359 K360 E363 L368 F381 L385 I391 F392 I393 ID Pos 32 Pos 33 Pos 34 Pos 35 Pos 36 Pos 37 Pos 38 Pos 39 Pos 40 2 E379 G441 F443 G446 F448 E450 I455 E457 Y458 4 E379 G405 F407 G410 F412 E414 I419 E421 Y422 6 Q401 G421 F423 G426 F428 E430 I435 E437 Y438 8 Q400 G420 F422 G425 F427 E429 I434 E436 Y437 10 Q390 G410 F412 G415 F417 E419 I424 D426 Y427 12 Q335 — F342 G345 F347 A349 I354 R356 E357 14 Q335 — F342 G345 F347 A349 I354 R356 E357 16 Q335 — F342 G345 F347 A349 I354 R356 E357 18 E330 — F337 G340 F342 A344 I349 R351 D352 20 Q336 — F343 G346 F348 A350 I355 R357 E358 22 Q335 — F342 G345 F347 A349 I354 R356 E357 24 E372 — F379 G382 F384 A386 I391 R393 E394 26 Q344 — F351 G354 F356 A358 I363 R365 E366 28 Q382 — F389 G392 F394 A396 I401 R403 E404 30 Q345 — F352 G355 F357 A359 I364 R366 E367 32 E372 — F379 G382 F384 A386 I391 R393 E394 40 Q382 G402 F404 G407 F409 E411 I416 D418 Y419 42 Q397 G417 F419 G422 F424 E426 I431 E433 Y434

The highest homology of the nucleic acid molecule used in the process according to the invention was found for the following database entries by Gap search.

Homologues of the nucleic acid sequences used, with a variant of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, ora homolog ora functional equivalent thereof, comprise also allelic variants with at least approximately 30%, 35%, 40% or 45% homology, by preference at least approximately 50%, 60% or 70%, more preferably at least approximately 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94% or 95% and even more preferably at least approximately 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more homology with one of the nucleotide sequences shown or the abovementioned derived nucleic acid sequences or their homologues, derivatives or analogues or parts of these. As described above, allelic variants encompass in particular functional variants which can be obtained by deletion, insertion or substitution of nucleotides from the sequences shown, preferably from SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, or from the derived nucleic acid sequences, the intention being, however, that the enzyme activity or the biological activity of the resulting proteins synthesized is advantageously retained or increased.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or used in the process of the invention comprises variants of the sequences shown in any of the SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. It is preferred that the nucleic acid molecule comprises as little as possible other nucleotides not shown in any one of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50 or 40 further nucleotides. In a further embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises less than 30, 20 or 10 further nucleotides.

Also preferred is that the nucleic acid molecule used in the process of the invention encodes a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule encodes less than 150, 130, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40 or 30 further amino acids. In a further embodiment, the encoded polypeptide comprises less than 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 or 5 further amino acids.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention or used in the process encodes a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof comprises less than 100 further nucleotides. In a further embodiment, said nucleic acid molecule comprises less than 30 further nucleotides.

Polypeptides (=proteins), which still have the essential biological or enzymatic activity of the polypeptide of the present invention conferring increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, plant or part thereof i.e. whose activity is essentially not reduced, are polypeptides with at least 10% or 20%, by preference 30% or 40%, especially preferably 50% or 60%, very especially preferably 80% or 90 or more of the wild type biological activity or enzyme activity, advantageously, the activity is essentially not reduced in comparison with the activity of a polypeptide shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof expressed under identical conditions.

Homologues of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or of the encoded sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof also mean truncated sequences, cDNA, single-stranded DNA or RNA of the coding and noncoding DNA sequence. Homologues of said sequences are also understood as meaning derivatives, which comprise noncoding regions such as, for example, UTRs, terminators, enhancers or promoter variants. The promoters upstream of the nucleotide sequences stated can be modified by one or more nucleotide substitution(s), insertion(s) and/or deletion(s) without, however, interfering with the functionality or activity either of the promoters, the open reading frame (═ORF) or with the 3′-regulatory region such as terminators or other 3′-regulatory regions, which are far away from the ORF. It is furthermore possible that the activity of the promoters is increased by modification of their sequence, or that they are replaced completely by more active promoters, even promoters from heterologous organisms. Appropriate promoters are known to the person skilled in the art and are mentioned herein below.

Further, an embodiment of the invention is an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of:

-   (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide comprising a     variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,     18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof; -   (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a variant of the sequence of     SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or     31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, -   (c) a nucleic acid molecule, which, as a result of the degeneracy of     the genetic code, can be derived from a variant of the polypeptide     sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,     26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof,     and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared     to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a     plant or a part thereof; -   (d) a nucleic acid molecule having 30% or more identity, preferably     40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%,     99.5%, or more with the nucleic acid molecule sequence of a     polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO: 1,     3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21,23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a     homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and confers increased     herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding,     e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant or a part     thereof; -   (e) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having 30% or     more identity, preferably at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%,     85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or more, with the amino     acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid     molecule of (a), (b), (c) or (d) and having the activity represented     by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:     1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a     homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and confers increased     herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding,     e.g. non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant or a part     thereof; -   (f) nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes with a nucleic acid     molecule of (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) under stringent hybridization     conditions and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance,     as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type     plant cell, a plant or a part thereof; -   (g) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide which can be     isolated with the aid of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies made     against a polypeptide encoded by one of the nucleic acid molecules     of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) and having the activity     represented by the nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide     as depicted in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23,     25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof; -   (h) a nucleic acid molecule which is obtainable by screening a     suitable nucleic acid library, especially a cDNA library and/or a     genomic library, under stringent hybridization conditions with a     probe comprising a complementary sequence of a nucleic acid molecule     of (a) or (b) or with a fragment thereof, having 15 nt, preferably     20 nt, 30 nt, 50 nt, 100 nt, 200 nt, 500 nt, 750 nt or 1000 nt or     more of a nucleic acid molecule complementary to a nucleic acid     molecule sequence characterized in (a) to (e) and encoding a     polypeptide having the activity represented by a protein comprising     a polypeptide as depicted SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18,     20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional     equivalent thereof.

The invention further provides an isolated recombinant expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, wherein expression of the vector or nucleic acid molecule, respectively in a host cell results in an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to the corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type of the host cell.

A plant expression cassette preferably contains regulatory sequences capable of driving gene expression in plant cells and operably linked so that each sequence can fulfill its function, for example, termination of transcription by polyadenylation signals. Preferred polyadenylation signals are those originating from Agrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA such as the gene 3 known as octopine synthase of the Ti-plasmid pTiACH5 (Gielen et al., EMBO J. 3, 835 1(984)) or functional equivalents thereof but also all other terminators functionally active in plants are suitable. As plant gene expression is very often not limited on transcriptional levels, a plant expression cassette preferably contains other operably linked sequences like translational enhancers such as the overdrive-sequence containing the 5′-untranslated leader sequence from tobacco mosaic virus enhancing the protein per RNA ratio (Gallie et al., Nucl. Acids Research 15, 8693 (1987)).

Plant gene expression has to be operably linked to an appropriate promoter conferring gene expression in a timely, cell or tissue specific manner. Preferred are promoters driving constitutive expression (Benfey et al., EMBO J. 8, 2195 (1989)) like those derived from plant viruses like the 35S CaMV (Franck et al., Cell 21, 285 (1980)), the 19S CaMV (see also U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,605 and PCT Application No. WO 84/02913) or plant promoters like those from Rubisco small subunit described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,028. Other promoters, e.g. super-promoter (Ni et al., Plant Journal 7, 661 (1995)), Ubiquitin promoter (Callis et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265, 12486 (1990); U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,474; U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,190; Kawalleck et al., Plant. Molecular Biology, 21, 673 (1993)) or 34S promoter (GenBank Accession numbers M59930 and X16673) were similar useful for the present invention and are known to a person skilled in the art. Developmental stage-preferred promoters are preferentially expressed at certain stages of development. Tissue and organ preferred promoters include those that are preferentially expressed in certain tissues or organs, such as leaves, roots, seeds, or xylem. Examples of tissue preferred and organ preferred promoters include, but are not limited to fruit-preferred, ovule-preferred, male tissue-preferred, seed-preferred, integument-preferred, tuber-preferred, stalk-preferred, pericarp-preferred, and leaf-preferred, stigma-preferred, pollen-preferred, anther-preferred, a petal-preferred, sepal-preferred, pedicel-preferred, silique-preferred, stem-preferred, root-preferred promoters, and the like. Seed preferred promoters are preferentially expressed during seed development and/or germination. For example, seed preferred promoters can be embryo-preferred, endosperm preferred, and seed coat-preferred. See Thompson et al., BioEssays 10, 108 (1989). Examples of seed preferred promoters include, but are not limited to, cellulose synthase (celA), Ciml, gamma-zein, globulin-1, maize 19 kD zein (cZ19B1), and the like.

Other promoters useful in the expression cassettes of the invention include, but are not limited to, the major chlorophyll a/b binding protein promoter, histone promoters, the Ap3 promoter, the β-conglycin promoter, the napin promoter, the soybean lectin promoter, the maize 15 kD zein promoter, the 22 kD zein promoter, the 27 kD zein promoter, the g-zein promoter, the waxy, shrunken 1, shrunken 2 and bronze promoters, the Zm13 promoter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,169), the maize polygalacturonase promoters (PG) (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,412,085 and 5,545,546), and the SGB6 promoter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,359), as well as synthetic or other natural promoters.

Additional advantageous regulatory sequences are, for example, included in the plant promoters such as CaMV/35S (Franck et al., Cell 21 285 (1980)), PRP1 (Ward et al., Plant. Mol. Biol. 22, 361 (1993)), SSU, OCS, lib4, usp, STLS1, B33, LEB4, nos, ubiquitin, napin or phaseolin promoter. Also advantageous in this connection are inducible promoters such as the promoters described in EP 388 186 (benzyl sulfonamide inducible), Gatz et al., Plant J. 2, 397 (1992) (tetracyclin inducible), EP-A-0 335 528 (abscisic acid inducible) or WO 93/21334 (ethanol or cyclohexenol inducible). Additional useful plant promoters are the cytoplasmic FBPase promotor or ST-LSI promoter of potato (Stockhaus et al., EMBO J. 8, 2445 (1989)), the phosphorybosyl phyrophoshate amido transferase promoter of Glycine max (gene bank accession No. U87999) or the noden specific promoter described in EP-A0 249 676. Additional particularly advantageous promoters are seed specific promoters which can be used for monocotyledones or dicotyledones and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,152 (napin promoter from rapeseed), WO 98/45461 (phaseolin promoter from Arabidopsis), U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,200 (phaseolin promoter from Phaseolus vulgaris), WO 91/13980 (Bce4 promoter from Brassica) and Baeumlein et al., Plant J., 2 (2), 233 (1992) (LEB4 promoter from leguminosa). Said promoters are useful in dicotyledones. The following promoters are useful for example in monocotyledones Ipt-2- or Ipt-1-promoter from barley (WO 95/15389 and WO 95/23230) or hordein promoter from barley. Other useful promoters are described in WO 99/16890. It is possible in principle to use all natural promoters with their regulatory sequences like those mentioned above for the novel process. It is also possible and advantageous in addition to use synthetic promoters.

The gene construct may also comprise further genes which are to be inserted into the organisms and which are for example involved in herbicide tolerance or resistance increase. It is possible and advantageous to insert and express in host organisms regulatory genes such as genes for inducers, repressors or enzymes which intervene by their enzymatic activity in the regulation, or one or more or all genes of a biosynthetic pathway. These genes can be heterologous or homologous in origin. The inserted genes may have their own promoter or else be under the control of same promoter as the sequences of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or their homologs or functional equivalents thereof.

The gene construct advantageously comprises, for expression of the other genes present, additionally 3′ and/or 5′ terminal regulatory sequences to enhance expression, which are selected for optimal expression depending on the selected host organism and gene or genes.

These regulatory sequences are intended to make specific expression of the genes and protein expression possible as mentioned above. This may mean, depending on the host organism, for example that the gene is expressed or over-expressed only after induction, or that it is immediately expressed and/or over-expressed.

The regulatory sequences or factors may moreover preferably have a beneficial effect on expression of the introduced genes, and thus increase it. It is possible in this way for the regulatory elements to be enhanced advantageously at the transcription level by using strong transcription signals such as promoters and/or enhancers. However, in addition, it is also possible to enhance translation by, for example, improving the stability of the mRNA.

Other preferred sequences for use in plant gene expression cassettes are targeting-sequences necessary to direct the gene product in its appropriate cell compartment (for review see Kermode, Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 15 (4), 285 (1996) and references cited therein) such as the vacuole, the nucleus, all types of plastids like amyloplasts, chloroplasts, chromoplasts, the extracellular space, mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, oil bodies, peroxisomes and other compartments of plant cells.

Plant gene expression can also be facilitated via an inducible promoter (for review see Gatz, Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 48, 89 (1997)). Chemically inducible promoters are especially suitable if gene expression is wanted to occur in a time specific manner.

Table 3 lists several examples of promoters that may be used to regulate transcription of the nucleic acid coding sequences of the present invention.

TABLE 3 Examples of tissue-specific and inducible promoters in plants Expression Reference Cor78 - Cold, drought, salt, Ishitani, et al., Plant Cell 9, 1935 (1997), ABA, wounding-inducible Yamaguchi-Shinozaki and Shinozaki, Plant Cell 6, 251 (1994) Rci2A - Cold, dehydration- Capel et al., Plant Physiol 115, 569 inducible (1997) Rd22 - Drought, salt Yamaguchi-Shinozaki and Shinozaki, Mol. Gen. Genet. 238, 17 (1993) Cor15A - Cold, dehydration, Baker et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 24, ABA 701 (1994) GH3- Auxin inducible Liu et al., Plant Cell 6, 645 (1994) ARSK1-Root, salt inducible Hwang and Goodman, Plant J. 8, 37 (1995) PtxA - Root, salt inducible GenBank accession X67427 SbHRGP3 - Root specific Ahn et al., Plant Cell 8, 1477 (1998). KST1 - Guard cell specific Plesch et al., Plant Journal. 28(4), 455- (2001) KAT1 - Guard cell specific Plesch et al., Gene 249, 83 (2000), Nakamura et al., Plant Physiol. 109, 371 (1995) salicylic acid inducible PCT Application No. WO 95/19443 tetracycline inducible Gatz et al., Plant J. 2, 397 (1992) Ethanol inducible PCT Application No. WO 93/21334 Pathogen inducible PRP1 Ward et al., Plant. Mol. Biol. 22, 361 -(1993) Heat inducible hsp80 U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,267 Cold inducible alpha- PCT Application No. WO 96/12814 amylase Wound-inducible pinII European Patent No. 375 091 RD29A - salt-inducible Yamaguchi-Shinozalei et al. Mol. Gen. Genet. 236, 331 (1993) Plastid-specific viral PCT Application No. WO 95/16783, RNA-polymerase PCT Application WO 97/06250

Additional flexibility in controlling heterologous gene expression in plants may be obtained by using DNA binding domains and response elements from heterologous sources (i.e., DNA binding domains from non-plant sources). An example of such a heterologous DNA binding domain is the LexA DNA binding domain (Brent and Ptashne, Cell 43, 729 (1985)).

In one embodiment, the language “substantially free of cellular material” includes preparations of a protein having less than about 30% (by dry weight) of contaminating material (also referred to herein as a “contaminating polypeptide”), more preferably less than about 20% of contaminating material, still more preferably less than about 10% of contaminating material, and most preferably less than about 5% contaminating material.

The nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, polypeptide homologs, fusion polypeptides, primers, vectors, and host cells described herein can be used in one or more of the following methods: identification of S. cerevisiae, E. coli or Brassica napus, Glycine max, Zea mays or Oryza sativa and related organisms; mapping of genomes of organisms related to S. cerevisiae, E. coli; identification and localization of S. cerevisiae, E. coli or Brassica napus, Glycine max, Zea mays or Oryza sativa sequences of interest; evolutionary studies; determination of polypeptide regions required for function; modulation of a polypeptide activity; modulation of the metabolism of one or more cell functions; modulation of the transmembrane transport of one or more compounds; modulation of herbicide tolerance or resistance, and modulation of expression of polypeptide nucleic acids.

The nucleic acid molecules of the invention are also useful for evolutionary and polypeptide structural studies. The metabolic and transport processes in which the molecules of the invention participate are utilized by a wide variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; by comparing the sequences of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention to those encoding similar enzymes from other organisms, the evolutionary relatedness of the organisms can be assessed. Similarly, such a comparison permits an assessment of which regions of the sequence are conserved and which are not, which may aid in determining those regions of the polypeptide that are essential for the functioning of the enzyme. This type of determination is of value for polypeptide engineering studies and may give an indication of what the polypeptide can tolerate in terms of mutagenesis without losing function.

There are a number of mechanisms by which the alteration of the polypeptide of the invention may directly affect herbicide tolerance or resistance.

The effect of the genetic modification in plants regarding herbicide tolerance or resistance can be assessed by treating the modified plant with respective herbicides as, e.g., described in EXAMPLE 7, and then analyzing the growth characteristics and/or metabolism of the plant in comparison to non-modified plants. Such analysis techniques are well known to one skilled in the art, and include evaluation of the plant phenotype, dry weight, fresh weight, polypeptide synthesis, carbohydrate synthesis, lipid synthesis, evapotranspiration rates, general plant and/or crop yield, flowering, reproduction, seed setting, root growth, respiration rates, photosynthesis rates, etc. (Applications of HPLC in Biochemistry in: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Vol. 17; Rehm et al., 1993 Biotechnology, Vol. 3, Chapter III: Product recovery and purification, page 469-714, VCH: Weinheim; Belter P. A. et al., 1988, Bioseparations: downstream processing for biotechnology, John Wiley and Sons; Kennedy J. F., and Cabral J. M. S., 1992, Recovery processes for biological materials, John Wiley and Sons; Shaeiwitz J. A. and Henry J. D., 1988, Biochemical separations, in Ulmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Vol. B3, Chapter 11, page 1-27, VCH: Weinheim; and Dechow F. J., 1989, Separation and purification techniques in biotechnology, Noyes Publications).

For example, plant expression vectors comprising the nucleic acids disclosed herein, or fragments thereof, can be constructed and transformed into an appropriate plant cell such as rape, maize, cotton, rice, wheat, sugar cane, sugar beet, soy bean, Arabidopsis thaliana, potato, Medicago truncatula, etc., using standard protocols. The resulting transgenic cells and/or plants derived therefrom can then be assayed for generation or alteration of their herbicide tolerance or resistance.

The present invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to the polypeptide according to the invention, or a portion thereof, as encoded by a nucleic acid described herein. Antibodies can be made by many well-known methods (see, e.g. Harlow and Lane, “Antibodies; A Laboratory Manual”, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1988)). Briefly, purified antigen can be injected into an animal in an amount and in intervals sufficient to elicit an immune response. Antibodies can either be purified directly, or spleen cells can be obtained from the animal. The cells can then fused with an immortal cell line and screened for antibody secretion. The antibodies can be used to screen nucleic acid clone libraries for cells secreting the antigen. Those positive clones can then be sequenced. See, for example, Kelly et al., Bio/Technology 10, 163 (1992); Bebbington et al., Bio/Technology 10, 169 (1992).

Gene expression in plants is regulated by the interaction of protein transcription factors with specific nucleotide sequences within the regulatory region of a gene. One example of transcription factors are polypeptides that contain zinc finger (ZF) motifs. Each ZF module is approximately 30 amino acids long folded around a zinc ion. The DNA recognition domain of a ZF protein is a α-helical structure that inserts into the major grove of the DNA double helix.

The module contains three amino acids that bind to the DNA with each amino acid contacting a single base pair in the target DNA sequence. ZF motifs are arranged in a modular repeating fashion to form a set of fingers that recognize a contiguous DNA sequence. For example, a three-fingered ZF motif will recognize 9 bp of DNA. Hundreds of proteins have been shown to contain ZF motifs with between 2 and 37 ZF modules in each protein (Isalan M. et al., Biochemistry 37 (35), 12026 (1998); Moore M. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98 (4), 1432 (2001) and Moore M. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98 (4), 1437 (2001); U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,988 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,453).

The regulatory region of a plant gene contains many short DNA sequences (cis-acting elements) that serve as recognition domains for transcription factors, including ZF proteins. Similar recognition domains in different genes allow the coordinate expression of several genes encoding enzymes in a metabolic pathway by common transcription factors. Variation in the recognition domains among members of a gene family facilitates differences in gene expression within the same gene family, for example, among tissues and stages of development and in response to environmental conditions.

Typical ZF proteins contain not only a DNA recognition domain but also a functional domain that enables the ZF protein to activate or repress transcription of a specific gene. Experimentally, an activation domain has been used to activate transcription of the target gene (U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,538 and patent application WO 95/19431), but it is also possible to link a transcription repressor domain to the ZF and thereby inhibit transcription (patent applications WO 00/47754 and WO 01/002019). It has been reported that an enzymatic function such as nucleic acid cleavage can be linked to the ZF (patent application WO 00/20622). The invention provides a method that allows one skilled in the art to isolate the regulatory region of one or more polypeptide according to the invention-encoding genes from the genome of a plant cell and to design zinc finger transcription factors linked to a functional domain that will interact with the regulatory region of the gene. The interaction of the zinc finger protein with the plant gene can be designed in such a manner as to alter expression of the gene and preferably thereby to confer increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance.

In particular, the invention provides a method of producing a transgenic plant with a coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid(s) in the plant results in in increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a wild type plant comprising: (a) transforming a plant cell with an expression vector comprising a encoding nucleic acid, and (b) generating from the plant cell a transgenic plant with enhanced increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a wild type plant. For such plant transformation, binary vectors such as pBinAR can be used (Hofgen and Willmitzer, Plant Science 66, 221 (1990)). Moreover suitable binary vectors are for example pBIN19, pBI101, pGPTV or pPZP (Hajukiewicz P. et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 25, 989 (1994)).

Alternate methods of transfection include the direct transfer of DNA into developing flowers via electroporation or Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer. Agrobacterium mediated plant transformation can be performed using for example the GV3101 (pMP90) (Koncz and Schell, Mol. Gen. Genet. 204, 383 (1986)) or LBA4404 (Ooms et al., Plasmid, 7, 15 (1982); Hoekema et al., Nature, 303, 179 (1983)) Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain. Transformation can be performed by standard transformation and regeneration techniques (Deblaere et al., Nucl. Acids. Res. 13, 4777 (1994); Gelvin and Schilperoort, Plant Molecular Biology Manual, 2nd Ed.—Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publ., 1995.—in Sect., Ringbuc Zentrale Signatur: BT11-P ISBN 0-7923-2731-4; Glick B. R. and Thompson J. E., Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1993.—360 S., ISBN 0-8493-5164-2). For example, rapeseed can be transformed via cotyledon or hypocotyl transformation (Moloney et al., Plant Cell Reports 8, 238 (1989); De Block et al., Plant Physiol. 91, 694 (1989)). Use of antibiotics for Agrobacterium and plant selection depends on the binary vector and the Agrobacterium strain used for transformation. Rapeseed selection is normally performed using kanamycin as selectable plant marker. Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer to flax can be performed using, for example, a technique described by Mlynarova et al., Plant Cell Report 13, 282 (1994)). Additionally, transformation of soybean can be performed using for example a technique described in European Patent No. 424 047, U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,783, European Patent No. 397 687, U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,543 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,770. Transformation of maize can be achieved by particle bombardment, polyethylene glycol mediated DNA uptake or via the silicon carbide fiber technique (see, for example, Freeling and Walbot “The maize handbook” Springer Verlag: New York (1993) ISBN 3-540-97826-7). A specific example of maize transformation is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,387 and a specific example of wheat transformation can be found in PCT Application No. WO 93/07256.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for the identification of a gene product conferring in increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, e.g. non-transformed, wild type cell in a cell of an organism for example plant, comprising the following steps:

-   (a) contacting, e.g. hybridizing, some or all nucleic acid molecules     of a sample, e.g. cells, tissues, plants or microorganisms or a     nucleic acid library, which can contain a candidate gene encoding a     gene product conferring increased herbicide tolerance or resistance     with a nucleic acid molecule as shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1,     3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a     functional homologue thereof; -   (b) identifying the nucleic acid molecules, which hybridize under     relaxed or stringent conditions with said nucleic acid molecule, in     particular to the nucleic acid molecule sequence shown in a variant     of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29,     or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, and,     optionally, isolating the full length cDNA clone or complete genomic     clone; -   (c) identifying the candidate nucleic acid molecules or a fragment     thereof in host cells, preferably in a plant cell; -   (d) increasing the expression of the identified nucleic acid     molecules in the host cells for which increased herbicide tolerance     or resistance are desired; -   (e) assaying the level of increased herbicide tolerance or     resistance of the host cells; and -   (f) identifying the nucleic acid molecule and its gene product which     confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, in the host     cell compared to the wild type.

Relaxed hybridization conditions are: After standard hybridization procedures washing steps can be performed at low to medium stringency conditions usually with washing conditions of 40°-55° C. and salt conditions between 2×SSC and 0.2×SSC with 0.1% SDS in comparison to stringent washing conditions as e.g. 60° to 68° C. with 0.1% SDS. Further examples can be found in the references listed above for the stringend hybridization conditions. Usually washing steps are repeated with increasing stringency and length until a useful signal to noise ratio is detected and depend on many factors as the target, e.g. its purity, GC-content, size etc, the probe, e.g.its length, is it a RNA or a DNA probe, salt conditions, washing or hybridization temperature, washing or hybridization time etc.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for the identification of a gene product the expression of which confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, in a cell, comprising the following steps:

-   (a) identifying a nucleic acid molecule in an organism, which is at     least 20%, preferably 25%, more preferably 30%, even more preferred     are 35%. 40% or 50%, even more preferred are 60%, 70% or 80%, most     preferred are 90% or 95% or more homolog to the nucleic acid     molecule encoding a protein comprising the polypeptide molecule as     shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26,     28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof or     being encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide     as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23,     25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homologue or functional equivalent thereof     or a functional equivalent thereof as described herein, for example     via homology search in a data bank; -   (b) enhancing the expression of the identified nucleic acid     molecules in the host cells; -   (c) assaying the level of enhancement in increasing herbicide     tolerance or resistance, in the host cells; and -   (d) identifying the host cell, in which the enhanced expression     confers the increasing herbicide tolerance or resistance in the host     cell compared to a wild type.

Further, the nucleic acid molecule disclosed herein, in particular the nucleic acid molecule shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, may be sufficiently homologous to the sequences of related species such that these nucleic acid molecules may serve as markers for the construction of a genomic map in related organism or for association mapping. Furthermore natural variation in the genomic regions corresponding to nucleic acids disclosed herein, in particular the nucleic acid molecule shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or homologous thereof may lead to variation in the activity of the proteins disclosed herein, in particular the proteins comprising polypeptides as shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, and their homolgous and in consequence in a natural variation of an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance.

In consequence natural variation eventually also exists in form of more active allelic variants leading already to a relative increase in herbicide tolerance or resistance. Different variants of the nucleic acids molecule disclosed herein, in particular the nucleic acid comprising the nucleic acid molecule as shown a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, which corresponds to different levels of increased herbicide tolerance or resistance can be identified and used for marker assisted breeding for an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance,

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for breeding plants with an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance comprising

-   (a) selecting a first plant variety with an increased herbicide     tolerance or resistance, based on increased expression of a nucleic     acid of the invention as disclosed herein, in particular of a     nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule as shown in     a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23,     25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof,     or a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide as shown in a variant of     SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30,     or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, as described     herein; -   (b) associating the level of increased herbicide tolerance or     resistance with the expression level or the genomic structure of a     gene encoding said polypeptide or said nucleic acid molecule; -   (c) crossing the first plant variety with a second plant variety,     which significantly differs in its level of increased herbicide     tolerance or resistance; and -   (d) identifying, which of the offspring varieties has got increased     levels of herbicide tolerance or resistance,

As described SUPRA, the present invention provides plants, plant tissues, plant cells, and host cells that are resistant or tolerant of at least one herbicide, preferably a HPPD-inhibiting herbicide. In some embodiments, the plants, plant tissues, plant cells, and host cells demonstrate enhanced resistance or enhanced tolerance to at least one herbicide, preferably a HPPD-inhibiting herbicide. The term ‘enhanced’ refers to an increase in the amount of resistance or tolerance above that which is expected.

The herbicide-resistant plants of the invention that comprise polynucleotides encoding a polypeptide as shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, also find use in methods for increasing the herbicide-resistance of a plant through conventional plant breeding involving sexual reproduction. The methods comprise crossing a first plant that is a herbicide-resistant plant of the invention to a second plant that may or may not be resistant to the same herbicide or herbicides as the first plant or may be resistant to different herbicide or herbicides than the first plant. The second plant can be any plant that is capable of producing viable progeny plants (i.e., seeds) when crossed with the first plant. Typically, but not necessarily, the first and second plants are of the same species. The methods can optionally involve selecting for progeny plants that comprise the polypeptide as shown in a variant of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof, of the first plant and the herbicide resistance characteristics of the second plant. The progeny plants produced by this method of the present invention have increased resistance to a herbicide when compared to either the first or second plant or both. When the first and second plants are resistant to different herbicides, the progeny plants will have the combined herbicide tolerance characteristics of the first and second plants. The methods of the invention can further involve one or more generations of backcrossing the progeny plants of the first cross to a plant of the same line or genotype as either the first or second plant. Alternatively, the progeny of the first cross or any subsequent cross can be crossed to a third plant that is of a different line or genotype than either the first or second plant. The present invention also provides plants, plant organs, plant tissues, plant cells, seeds, and non-human host cells that are transformed with the at least one polynucleotide molecule, expression cassette, or transformation vector of the invention. Such transformed plants, plant organs, plant tissues, plant cells, seeds, and non-human host cells have enhanced tolerance or resistance to at least one herbicide, at levels of the herbicide that kill or inhibit the growth of an untransformed plant, plant tissue, plant cell, or non-human host cell, respectively. Preferably, the transformed plants, plant tissues, plant cells, and seeds of the invention are Arabidopsis thaliana and crop plants.

In other aspects, plants of the invention include those plants which, in addition to being HPPD-inhibiting herbicides-tolerant, have been subjected to further genetic modifications by breeding, mutagenesis or genetic engineering, e.g. have been rendered tolerant to applications of specific other classes of herbicides, such as AHAS inhibitors; auxinic herbicides; bleaching herbicides such as hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors or phytoene desaturase (PDS) inhibitors; EPSPS inhibitors such as glyphosate; glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitors such as glufosinate; lipid biosynthesis inhibitors such as acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors; or oxynil {i.e. bromoxynil or ioxynil) herbicides as a result of conventional methods of breeding or genetic engineering, Thus, HPPD-inhibiting herbicides-tolerant plants of the invention can be made resistant to multiple classes of herbicides through multiple genetic modifications, such as resistance to both glyphosate and glufosinate or to both glyphosate and a herbicide from another class such as HPPD inhibitors, AHAS inhibitors, or ACCase inhibitors. These herbicide resistance technologies are, for example, described in Pest Management Science (at volume, year, page): 61, 2005, 246; 61, 2005, 258; 61, 2005, 277; 61, 2005, 269; 61, 2005, 286; 64, 2008, 326; 64, 2008, 332; Weed Science 57, 2009, 108; Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 2007, 708; Science 316, 2007, 1185; and references quoted therein. For example, HPPD-inhibiting herbicides-tolerant plants of the invention, in some embodiments, may be tolerant to ACCase inhibitors, such as “dims” {e.g., cycloxydim, sethoxydim, clethodim, or tepraloxydim), “fops” {e.g., clodinafop, diclofop, fluazifop, haloxyfop, or quizalofop), and “dens” (such as pinoxaden); to auxinic herbicides, such as dicamba; to EPSPS inhibitors, such as glyphosate; to other HPPD inhibitors; and to GS inhibitors, such as glufosinate.

In addition to these classes of inhibitors, HPPD-inhibiting herbicides-tolerant plants of the invention may also be tolerant to herbicides having other modes of action, for example, chlorophyll/carotenoid pigment inhibitors, cell membrane disrupters, photosynthesis inhibitors, cell division inhibitors, root inhibitors, shoot inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

Such tolerance traits may be expressed, e.g.: as mutant or wildtype HPPD proteins, as mutant AHASL proteins, mutant ACCase proteins, mutant EPSPS proteins, or mutant glutamine synthetase proteins; or as mutant native, inbred, or transgenic aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase (AAD or DHT), haloarylnitrilase (BXN), 2,2-dichloropropionic acid dehalogenase (DEH), glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GAT), glyphosate decarboxylase (GDC), glyphosate oxidoreductase (GOX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT or bar), or CYP450s proteins having an herbicidedegrading activity. HPPD-inhibiting herbicides—tolerant plants hereof can also be stacked with other traits including, but not limited to, pesticidal traits such as Bt Cry and other proteins having pesticidal activity toward coleopteran, lepidopteran, nematode, or other pests; nutrition or nutraceutical traits such as modified oil content or oil profile traits, high protein or high amino acid concentration traits, and other trait types known in the art.

Furthermore, in other embodiments, HPPD-inhibiting herbicides-tolerant plants are also covered which are, by the use of recombinant DNA techniques and/or by breeding and/or otherwise selected for such characteristics, rendered able to synthesize one or more insecticidal proteins, especially those known from the bacterial genus Bacillus, particularly from Bacillus thuringiensis, such as [delta]-endotoxins, e.g. CryIA(b), CryIA(c), CryIF, CryIF(a2), CryIIA(b), CryIIIA, CryIIIB(bI) or Cry9c; vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIP), e.g. VIP1, VIP2, VIP3 or VIP3A; insecticidal proteins of bacteria colonizing nematodes, e.g. Photorhabdus spp. or Xenorhabdus spp.; toxins produced by animals, such as scorpion toxins, arachnid toxins, wasp toxins, or other insect-specific neurotoxins; toxins produced by fungi, such streptomycete toxins; plant lectins, such as pea or barley lectins; agglutinins; proteinase inhibitors, such as trypsin inhibitors, serine protease inhibitors, patatin, cystatin or papain inhibitors; ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIP), such as ricin, maize-RIP, abrin, luffin, saporin or bryodin; steroid metabolism enzymes, such as 3-hydroxy-steroid oxidase, ecdysteroid-IDP-glycosyl-transferase, cholesterol oxidases, ecdysone inhibitors or HMGCoA-reductase; ion channel blockers, such as blockers of sodium or calcium channels; juvenile hormone esterase; diuretic hormone receptors (helicokinin receptors); stilben synthase, bibenzyl synthase, chitinases or glucanases. In the context of the present invention these insecticidal proteins or toxins are to be understood expressly also as pretoxins, hybrid proteins, truncated or otherwise modified proteins. Hybrid proteins are characterized by a new combination of protein domains, (see, e.g. WO 02/015701). Further examples of such toxins or genetically modified plants capable of synthesizing such toxins are disclosed, e.g., in EP-A 374 753, WO 93/007278, WO 95/34656, EP-A 427 529, EP-A 451 878, WO 03/18810 und WO 03/52073. The methods for producing such genetically modified plants are generally known to the person skilled in the art and are described, e.g. in the publications mentioned above. These insecticidal proteins contained in the genetically modified plants impart to the plants producing these proteins tolerance to harmful pests from all taxonomic groups of arthropods, especially to beetles (Coeloptera), two-winged insects (Diptera), and moths (Lepidoptera) and to nematodes (Nematoda).

In some embodiments, expression of one or more protein toxins (e.g., insecticidal proteins) in the HPPD-inhibiting herbicides-tolerant plants is effective for controlling organisms that include, for example, members of the classes and orders: Coleoptera such as the American bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus; the leaf beetle Agelastica alni; click beetles (Agriotes lineatus, Agriotes obscurus, Agriotes bicolor); the grain beetle Ahasverus advena; the summer schafer Amphimallon solstitialis; the furniture beetle Anobium punctatum; Anthonomus spp. (weevils); the Pygmy mangold beetle Atomaria linearis; carpet beetles (Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp.); the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculates; the fried fruit beetle Carpophilus hemipterus; the cabbage seedpod weevil Ceutorhynchus assimilis; the rape winter stem weevil Ceutorhynchus picitarsis; the wireworms Conoderus vespertinus and Conoderus falli; the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus; the New Zealand grass grub Costelytra zealandica; the June beetle Cotinis nitida; the sunflower stem weevil Cylindrocopturus adspersus; the larder beetle Dermestes lardarius; the corn rootworms Diabrotica virgifera, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, and Diabrotica barberi; the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis; the old house borer Hylotropes bajulus; the lucerne weevil Hypera postica; the shiny spider beetle Gibbium psylloides; the cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne; the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata; Lyctus beetles {Lyctus spp., the pollen beetle Meligethes aeneus; the common cockshafer Melolontha melolontha; the American spider beetle Mezium americanum; the golden spider beetle Niptus hololeucs; the grain beetles Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Oryzaephilus Mercator; the black vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus; the mustard beetle Phaedon cochleariae, the crucifer flea beetle Phyllotreta cruciferae; the striped flea beetle Phyllotreta striolata; the cabbage steam flea beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala; Ptinus spp. (spider beetles); the lesser grain borer Rhizopertha dominica; the pea and been weevil Sitona lineatus; the rice and granary beetles Sitophilus oryzae and Sitophilus granaries; the red sunflower seed weevil Smicronyx fulvus; the drugstore beetle Stegobium paniceum; the yellow mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, the flour beetles Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum; warehouse and cabinet beetles {Trogoderma spp.); the sunflower beetle Zygogramma exclamationis; Dermaptera (earwigs) such as the European earwig Forficula auricularia and the striped earwig Labidura riparia; Dictyoptera such as the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis; the greenhouse millipede Oxidus gracilis; the beet fly Pegomyia betae; the frit fly Oscinella frit; fruitflies (Dacus spp., Drosophila spp.); Isoptera (termites) including species from the familes Hodotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Mastotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae, Termitidae, Termopsidae; the tarnished plant bug Lygus lineolaris; the black bean aphid Aphis fabae; the cotton or melon aphid Aphis gossypii; the green apple aphid Aphis pomi; the citrus spiny whitefly Aleurocanthus spiniferus; the sweet potato whitefly Bemesia tabaci; the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae; the pear psylla Cacopsylla pyricola; the currant aphid Cryptomyzus ribis; the grape phylloxera Daktulosphaira vitifoliae; the citrus psylla Diaphorina citri; the potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae; the bean leafhopper Empoasca Solana; the vine leafhopper Empoasca vitis; the woolly aphid Eriosoma lanigerum; the European fruit scale Eulecanium corni; the mealy plum aphid Hyalopterus arundinis; the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus; the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae; the green peach aphid Myzus persicae; the green rice leafhopper Nephotettix cinticeps; the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens; the hop aphid Phorodon humuli; the bird-cherry aphid Rhopalosiphum padi; the grain aphid Sitobion avenae; Lepidoptera such as Adoxophyes orana (summer fruit tortrix moth); Archips podana (fruit tree tortrix moth); Bucculatrix pyrivorella (pear leafminer); Bucculatrix thurberiella (cotton leaf perforator); Bupalus piniarius (pine looper); Carpocapsa pomonella (codling moth); Chilo suppressalis (striped rice borer); Choristoneura fumiferana (eastern spruce budworm); Cochylis hospes (banded sunflower moth); Diatraea grandiosella (southwestern corn borer); Eupoecilia ambiguella (European grape berry moth); Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm); Helicoverpa zea (cotton bollworm); Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), Homeosoma electellum (sunflower moth); Homona magnanima (oriental tea tree tortrix moth); Lithocolletis blancardella (spotted tentiform leafminer); Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth); Malacosoma neustria (tent caterpillar); Mamestra brassicae (cabbage armyworm); Mamestra configurata (Bertha armyworm); Operophtera brumata (winter moth); Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer), Panolis flammea (pine beauty moth), Phyllocnistis citrella (citrus leafminer); Pieris brassicae (cabbage white butterfly); Rachiplusia ni (soybean looper); Spodoptera exigua (beet armyworm); Spodoptera littoralis (cotton leafworm); Sylepta derogata (cotton leaf roller); Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper); Orthoptera such as the common cricket Acheta domesticus, tree locusts (Anacridium spp.), the migratory locust Locusta migratoria, the twostriped grasshopper Melanoplus bivittatus, the differential grasshopper Melanoplus differentialis, the redlegged grasshopper Melanoplus femurrubrum, the migratory grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes, the northern mole cricket Neocurtilla hexadectyla, the red locust Nomadacris septemfasciata, the shortwinged mole cricket Scapteriscus abbreviatus, the southern mole cricket Scapteriscus borellii, the tawny mole cricket Scapteriscus vicinus, and the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria; Symphyla such as the garden symphylan Scutigerella immaculata; Thysanoptera such as the tobacco thrips Frankliniella fusca, the flower thrips Frankliniella intonsa, the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalism the cotton bud thrips Frankliniella schultzei, the banded greenhouse thrips Hercinothrips femoralis, the soybean thrips Neohydatothrips variabilis, Kelly's citrus thrips Pezothrips kellyanus, the avocado thrips Scirtothrips perseae, the melon thrips Thrips palmi, and the onion thrips Thrips tabaci; and the like, and combinations comprising one or more of the foregoing organisms.

In another embodiment, the mutated HPPD enzymes of the present invention and herbicide, in particular HPPD-inhibiting herbicide, resistant plants of the invention find use in methods for controlling weeds.

Thus, the present invention further provides a method for controlling undesired vegetation at a plant cultivation site in the vicinity of an herbicide-resistant plant, such as a plant comprising an mutated HPPD nucleic acid molecule of the invention, i.e. a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or a functional equivalent thereof.

The method comprises applying an effective amount of a herbicide, preferably a HPPD-inhibiting herbicide to the weeds and to the herbicide-resistant plant, wherein the plant has resistance to at least one herbicide, preferably a HPPD-inhibiting herbicide, when compared to a wild-type plant.

Furthermore, the present invention provides method for growing the plant according to the present invention while controlling weeds in the vicinity of said plant, said method comprising the steps of:

-   a) growing said plant; and -   b) applying a herbicide composition comprising a HPPD-inhibiting     herbicide to the plant and weeds, wherein the herbicide normally     inhibits hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, at a level of the     herbicide that would inhibit the growth of a corresponding wild-type     plant.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a combination useful for weed control, comprising (a) a polynucleotide encoding mutated HPPD polypeptide according to the present invention, which polynucleotide is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) a HPPD inhibiting herbicide.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing a combination useful for weed control comprising (a) providing a polynucleotide encoding a wildtype or mutated mutated HPPD polypeptide according to the present invention, which polynucleotide is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) providing a HPPD inhibiting herbicide.

In a preferred embodiment, said step of providing a polynucleotide comprises providing a plant containing the polynucleotide.

In another preferred embodiment, said step of providing a polynucleotide comprises providing a seed containing the polynucleotide.

In another preferred embodiment, said process further comprises a step of applying the HPPD inhibiting herbicide to the seed.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a combination useful for weed control, comprising (a) a polynucleotide encoding a wildtype or mutated mutated HPPD polypeptide according to the present invention, which polynucleotide is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) a HPPD inhibiting herbicide, to control weeds at a plant cultivation site.

The term “control of undesired vegetation” is to be understood as meaning the controlling, particularly killing of weeds and/or otherwise retarding or inhibiting the normal growth of the weeds. Weeds, in the broadest sense, are understood as meaning all those plants which grow in locations where they are undesired, e.g. at a plant cultivation site. The weeds of the present invention include, for example, dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous weeds. Dicotyledonous weeds include, but are not limited to, weeds of the genera: Sinapis, Lepidium, Galium, Stellaria, Matricaria, Anthemis, Galinsoga, Chenopodium, Urtica, Senecio, Amaranthus, Portulaca, Xanthium, Convolvulus, Ipomoea, Polygonum, Sesbania, Ambrosia, Cirsium, Carduus, Sonchus, Solanum, Rorippa, Rotala, Lindernia, Lamium, Veronica, AbutiIon, Emex, Datura, Viola, Galeopsis, Papaver, Centaurea, Trifolium, Ranunculus, and Taraxacum. Monocotyledonous weeds include, but are not limited to, weeds of of the genera: Echinochloa, Setaria, Panicum, Digitaria, Phleum, Poa, Festuca, Eleusine, Brachiaria, Lolium, Bromus, Avena, Cyperus, Sorghum, Agropyron, Cynodon, Monochoria, Fimbristyslis, Sagittaria, Eleocharis, Scirpus, Paspalum, Ischaemum, Sphenoclea, Dactyloctenium, Agrostis, Alopecurus, and Apera. In addition, the weeds of the present invention can include, for example, crop plants that are growing in an undesired location. For example, a volunteer maize plant that is in a field that predominantly comprises soybean plants can be considered a weed, if the maize plant is undesired in the field of soybean plants.

Generally, the term “herbicide” is used herein to mean an active ingredient that kills, controls or otherwise adversely modifies the growth of plants. The preferred amount or concentration of the herbicide is an “effective amount” or “effective concentration.” By “effective amount” and “effective concentration” is intended an amount and concentration, respectively, that is sufficient to kill or inhibit the growth of a similar, wild-type, plant, plant tissue, plant cell, microspore, or host cell, but that said amount does not kill or inhibit as severely the growth of the herbicide-resistant plants, plant tissues, plant cells, microspores, and host cells of the present invention. Typically, the effective amount of a herbicide is an amount that is routinely used in agricultural production systems to kill weeds of interest. Such an amount is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, or can be easily determined using methods known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that the effective amount of an herbicide in an agricultural production system might be substantially different than an effective amount of an herbicide for a plant culture system such as, for example, the microspore culture system. Herbicidal activity is exhibited by herbicides useful for the the present invention when they are applied directly to the plant or to the locus of the plant at any stage of growth or before planting or emergence. The effect observed depends upon the plant species to be controlled, the stage of growth of the plant, the application parameters of dilution and spray drop size, the particle size of solid components, the environmental conditions at the time of use, the specific compound employed, the specific adjuvants and carriers employed, the soil type, and the like, as well as the amount of chemical applied. These and other factors can be adjusted as is known in the art to promote non-selective or selective herbicidal action. Generally, it is preferred to apply the herbicide postemergence to relatively immature undesirable vegetation to achieve the maximum control of weeds.

The herbicides useful for the present invention are those that interfere with the activity of the HPPD enzyme such that HPPD activity is reduced in the presence of the herbicide. Such herbicides may also be referred to herein as “HPPD-inhibiting herbicides” or simply “mutated HPPD inhibitors.” As used herein, an “HPPD-inhibiting herbicide” or an “HPPD inhibitor” is not meant to be limited to single herbicide that interferes with the activity of the HPPD enzyme. Thus, unless otherwise stated or evident from the context, an “HPPD-inhibiting herbicide” or an “HPPD inhibitor” can be a one herbicide or a mixture of two, three, four, or more herbicides, each of which interferes with the activity of the HPPD enzyme. The HPPD-inhibiting herbicide for use in the methods provided herein can be applied by any method known in the art including, but not limited to, seed treatment, soil treatment, and foliar treatment.

By a “herbicide-tolerant” or “herbicide-resistant” plant, it is intended that a plant that is tolerant or resistant to at least one herbicide at a level that would normally kill, or inhibit the growth of, a normal or wild-type plant. By “herbicide-tolerant mutated HPPD protein” or “herbicide-resistant mutated HPPD protein”, it is intended that such a mutated HPPD protein displays higher mutated HPPD activity, relative to the HPPD activity of a wild-type HPPD protein, when in the presence of at least one herbicide that is known to interfere with HPPD activity and at a concentration or level of the herbicide that is known to inhibit the HPPD activity of the HPPD protein. Furthermore, the HPPD activity of such a herbicide-tolerant or herbicide-resistant mutated HPPD protein may be referred to herein as “herbicide-tolerant” or “herbicide-resistant” mutated HPPD activity.

In a preferred embodiment, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to the class of anellated heterocyclic compounds.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide, preferably the anellated heterocycle, useful for the present invention refers to a substituted pyridine compound of formula I:

-   -   wherein     -   R is hydroxy or O—R^(A), where R^(A) is C₁-C₈-alkyl,         C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl,         C₁-C₈-alkylthiocarbonyl or C₁-C₈-alkylsulfonyl, where the aryl         moiety is unsubstituted or substituted by one to five R^(a) and         each R^(a) is independently halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₈-alkyl,         C₁-C₈-haloalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy or C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy;     -   R¹ is cyano, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, Z—C₁-C₆-alkoxy,         Z—C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₄-alkylthio,         Z—C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy,         C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy,         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, S(O)_(n)R^(b), Z-phenoxy or         Z-heterocyclyloxy, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially         unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4         heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S,         where cyclic groups are unsubstituted or partially or fully         substituted by R^(c);     -   Z is independently a covalent bond or C₁-C₄-alkylene;     -   n is independently 0, 1 or 2;     -   R^(b) is independently C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl or         C₁-C₆-haloalkyl;     -   R^(c) is independently Z—CN, Z—OH, Z—NO₂, Z-halogen, oxo (═O),         ═N—R^(d), C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl,         C₂-C₈-alkynyl, Z—C₁-C₈-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy,         Z—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, O—Z—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, Z—C(═O)—R^(d),         NR^(i)R^(ii), Z-(tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl, Z-phenyl or         S(O)_(n)R^(b); or two groups R^(c) may together form a ring         which has 3 to 6 ring members and, in addition to carbon atoms,         may contain heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O,         N and S and may be unsubstituted or substituted by further         groups R^(c);         -   R^(d) is independently hydrogen, OH, C₁-C₈-alkyl,             C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, Z—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl,             Z—C₅-C₆-cycloalkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, Z—C₁-C₆-alkoxy,             Z—C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, Z—C₃-C₈-alkenyloxy, Z—C₃-C₈-alkynyloxy,             NR^(i)R^(ii), C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, Z-(tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl,             Z-phenyl, Z-phenoxy, Z-phenylamino or a 5- or 6-membered             monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heterocycle which             contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group             consisting of O, N and S, where the cyclic groups are             unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups R^(c);             -   R^(i), R^(ii) independently of one another are hydrogen,                 C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₃-C₈-alkenyl,                 C₃-C₈-alkynyl, Z—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, Z—C₁-C₈-alkoxy,                 Z—C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy, Z—C(═O)—R^(d), Z-phenyl, a 3- to                 7-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic                 saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle which                 contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the                 group consisting of O, N and S and which is attached via                 Z;         -   R^(i) and R^(ii) together with the nitrogen atom to which             they are attached may also form a 5- or 6-membered             monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heterocycle which             contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group             consisting of O, N and S;     -   A is N or C—R²;     -   B is N or C—R⁴;     -   R², R³ independently of one another are hydrogen, Z-halogen,         Z—CN, Z—OH, Z—NO₂, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl,         C₂-C₈-alkynyl, C₂-C₈-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₈-haloalkynyl,         Z—C₁-C₈-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy, Z—C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         Z—C₁-C₄-alkythio, Z—C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio,         Z—C₁-C₆-haloalkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy,         C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         Z—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, O—Z—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, Z—C(═O)—R^(d),         NR^(i)R^(ii), Z-(tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl, S(O)_(n)R^(b), Z-phenyl,         Z¹-phenyl, Z-heterocyclyl or Z¹-heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl         is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic         saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle which         contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group         consisting of O, N and S, where cyclic groups are unsubstituted         or partially or fully substituted by R^(c); R² together with the         group attached to the adjacent carbon atom may also form a 5- to         10-membered saturated or partially or fully unsaturated mono- or         bicyclic ring which, in addition to carbon atoms, may contain 1,         2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N         and S and may be substituted by further groups R^(c);         -   Z¹ is independently a covalent bond, C₁-C₄-alkyleneoxy,             C₁-C₄-oxyalkylene or C₁-C₄-alkyleneoxy-C₁-C₄-alkylene;     -   R⁴, R⁵ independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen or         C₁-C₄-alkyl;

-   W is N or C—R⁶;

-   R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy or C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio;

-   R⁷, R⁸ independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen or     C₁-C₄-alkyl;

-   X is O, NR^(z) or CR^(x)R^(y);     -   R^(x), R^(y) independently of one another are hydrogen,         C₁-C₅-alkyl, C₂-C₅-alkenyl, C₂-C₅-alkynyl, C₁-C₅-haloalkyl,         C₁-C₂-alkoxy-C₁-C₂-alkyl or halogen; or R^(x) and R^(y) are         together a C₂-C₅-alkylene or C₂-C₅-alkenylene chain and form a         3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or         fully unsaturated monocyclic ring together with the carbon atom         they are bonded to, wherein 1 or 2 of any of the CH₂ or CH         groups in the C₂-C₅-alkylene or C₂-C₅-alkenylene chain may be         replaced by 1 or 2 heteroatoms independently selected from O or         S;     -   R^(z) is C₁-C₅-alkyl, C₂-C₅-alkenyl, C₂-C₅-alkynyl,         C₁-C₅-haloalkyl, C₁-C₂-alkoxy-C₁-C₂-alkyl

-   Y is CO or SO₂.     -   where in the groups R¹, R² and R³ and their subsubstituents, the         carbon chains and/or the cyclic groups may be partially or fully         substituted by groups R^(c),

-   or an agriculturally suitable salt or N-oxide thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention preference is also given to those compounds of formula I, wherein the variables, either independently of one another or in combination with one another, have the following meanings:

Preferably, R is hydroxy or O—R^(A), where R^(A) is C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₈-alkylthiocarbonyl or C₁-C₈-alkylsulfonyl, where the aryl moiety is unsubstituted.

More preferably, R is hydroxy or O—R^(A), where R^(A) is C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl.

In one embodiment, R is hydroxy.

In one embodiment, R is O—R^(A), where R^(A) is C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl.

In another embodiment, R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, methoxy, allyloxy, propargyloxy, cyclopropylcarbonyloxy, benzyloxy, prop-2-ylcarbonyloxy, 2-methyl-prop-2-ylcarbonyloxy, methoxycarbonyloxy, ethoxycarbonyloxy, methylthiocarbonyloxy, ethylthiocarbonyloxy, ethylthiocarbonyloxy and methylsulfonyloxy.

Preferably, R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, cyclopropylcarbonyloxy, and 2-methyl-prop-2-ylcarbonyloxy,

In particular, R is hydroxy or 2-methyl-prop-2-ylcarbonyloxy

In one embodiment, R is hydroxy.

In one embodiment, R is 2-methyl-prop-2-ylcarbonyloxy

R^(i) and R^(ii) are preferably C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, Z—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, Z—C₁-C₈-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy, Z-phenyl, Z—C(═O)—R^(d) or Z-hetaryl. Preference is given here to CH₃, C₂H₅, n-propyl, CH(CH₃)₂, butyl, 2-chloroethyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 2-ethoxymethyl, 2-chloroethoxy, phenyl, pyrimidines or triazines, which rings are unsubstituted or substituted. Preferred substituents are C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl or C₁-C₄-haloalkylcarbonyl, in particular C(═O)CH₃, C(═O)—C₂H₅, C(═O)—C₃H₇, C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, butylcarbonyl and C(═O)—CH₂Cl. Particularly preferred aspects of group NR^(i)R^(ii) are N(di-C₁-C₄-alkyl), in particular N(CH₃)—C₁-C₄-alkyl, such as N(CH₃)₂, N(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, N(CH₃)C₃H₇ and N(CH₃)CH(CH₃)₂.

Further particularly preferred aspects of NR^(i)R^(ii) are NH-aryl, where aryl is preferably phenyl which is substituted—in particular in the 2- and 6-position—by one to three identical or different groups selected from the group consisting of halogen, CH₃, halo-C₁-C₂-alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂-alkoxy and carboxyl, such as 2-Cl,6-COOH-C₆H₃, 2,6-Cl₂-C₆H₃, 2,6-F₂—C₆H₃, 2,6-C₂ 3-C₆H₂, 2-CF₃,6-CH₂CHF₂—C₆H₃, 2-CF₃,6-OCF₃—C₆H₃ and 2-CF₃,6-CH₂CHF₂—C₆H₃.

For the compounds of the formula I, the groups R^(c) are preferably selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo (═O), ═N—R^(d), C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, Z—C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, Z—C(═O)—R^(d) and S(O)_(n)R^(b), where R^(b) is preferably C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-haloalkyl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

Particularly preferably, R^(c) is a group selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₆-acycloalkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, C₃-C₄-alkenyl, C₃-C₄-alkynyl and ═N—C₁-C₄-alkoxy.

Two groups R^(c) together may form a ring which preferably has three to seven ring members and, in addition to carbon atoms, may also contain heteroatoms from the group consisting of O, N and S and which may be unsubstituted or substituted by further groups R^(c). These substituents R^(c) are preferably selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkyl.

Groups R^(d) preferred for the compounds of the formula I are selected from the group consisting of OH, Z—C₁-C₆-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, Z—C₃-C₈-alkenyloxy, Z—C₃-C₈-alkynyloxy and NR^(i)R^(ii).

Groups R^(c) and R^(d) are selected independently of one another if a plurality of such groups is present.

In a preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I, R¹ is cyano, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, Z—C₁-C₆-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₄-alkythio, Z—C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, S(O)_(n)R^(b).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I, R¹ is halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₃-C₄-alkenyloxy, C₃-C₄-alkynyloxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₄-alkyl and S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₄-haloalkyl. Particularly preferably, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, NO₂, CH₃, CHF₂, CF₃, OCH₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, SO₂CH₃, SO₂CH₂CH₃, OCH₂CH₂OCH₃, CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃ and CH₂OCH₂CF₃. Particularly preferably, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, NO₂, CH₃, CF₃, OCH₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, SO₂CH₃, SO₂CH₂CH₃, OCH₂CH₂OCH₃, CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃ and CH₂OCH₂CF₃.

In a further preferred embodiment of the HPPD-inhibiting herbicides of the formula I, A is CR², B is CR4, X is CRxRy, Y is SO₂ and W is CR6. These compounds correspond to the formula I.1

where the variables have the meanings defined at the outset and preferably the meanings mentioned as preferred.

More preferably, in the compounds of the formula I.1, the group

-   R¹ is halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio     or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular F, Cl, Br, I, NO₂, CH₃, CF₃,     OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂, SCF₃, SCHF₂, SO₂CH₃, or CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃; and/or -   R³ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular     H, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO₂, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CF₃, CHF₂, OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂,     SCH₃, SO₂CH₃ or SO₂CH₂CH₃. -   R4 is H -   R5 is H or halogen -   R6 is H -   R7 is H -   R8 is H -   Rx, Ry is H or CH₃ -   B is N or CH

Particularly preferably, in the compounds of the formula I.1, the group

-   R¹ is halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio     or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular F, Cl, Br, NO₂, CH₃, CF₃,     OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂, SCF₃, SCHF₂, SO₂CH₃, or CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃; and/or -   R³ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular     H, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO₂, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CF₃, CHF₂, OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂,     SCH₃, SO₂CH₃ or SO₂CH₂CH₃.

In a preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I.1, R² is Z¹-heterocyclyl where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic, saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, cyclic groups being unsubstituted or partially or fully substituted by R^(b).

R² is in this case preferably a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle which is attached via Z¹ and contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, where the cyclic groups are unsubstituted or partially or fully substituted by groups R^(c).

In a further preferred aspect of the compounds of the formula I.1, R² is a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle which is attached directly or via C₁-C₄-alkyleneoxy, C₁-C₄-oxyalkylene or C₁-C₄-alkyleneoxy-C₁-C₄-alkylene, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S and which may be substituted as defined at the outset.

A preferred aspect of group R² relates to five- or six-membered saturated or partially unsatured heterocycles, such as, for example, isoxazoline, tetrazolone, 1,2-dihydrotetrazolone, 1,4-dihydrotetrazolone, tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane, piperidine, morpholine and piperazine. Particular preference is given to 3-isoxazoline, 5-isoxazoline, 1-tetrazolone, 2-tetrazolone, [1,3]dioxolane-2 and N-morpholine. Especially preferred are: 4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3, unsubstituted or substituted by 5-CH₃, 5-CH₂F or 5-CHF₂; 4,5-dihydroisoxazole-5, unsubstituted or substituted by 3-CH₃, 3-OCH₃, 3-CH₂OCH₃, 3-CH₂SCH₃; 1-methyl-5-oxo-1,5-dihydrotetrazole-2; 4-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydrotetrazole-1 and N-morpholine.

A further preferred aspect of group R² relates to five- or six-membered aromatic heterocycles, such as, for example, isoxazole, pyrazole, thiazole, furyl, pyridine, pyrimidine and pyrazine. Particular preference is given to 3-isoxazole, 5-isoxazole, 3-pyrazole, 5-pyrazole, 2-thiazole, 2-oxazole, 2-furyl. Especially preferred are: 3-isoxazole, 5-methyl-3-isoxazole, 5-isoxazole, 3-methyl-5-isoxazole, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3, 2-methyl-2H-pyrazole-3 and thiazole-2.

In a preferred aspect of the compounds of the formula I, the groups R^(c) independently of one another are Z—CN, Z—OH, Z—NO₂, Z-halogen, oxo (═O), ═N—R^(d), C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, Z—C₁-C₈-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy, Z—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, O—Z—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, Z—C(═O)—R^(d), NR^(i)R^(ii), Z-(tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl, Z-phenyl or S(O)_(n)R^(b).

In a preferred aspect of heterocyclic groups R², the groups R^(c) independently of one another are preferably C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl. Especially preferred are CH₃, C₂H₅, CH₂F, CF₂H, CF₃, OCH₃, CH₂OCH₃, CH₂SCH₃, SCH₃ and SO₂CH₃.

The group R^(b) is preferably C₁-C₈-alkyl.

In a preferred aspect, the group Z¹ is a covalent bond.

In a further preferred aspect, the group Z¹ is C₁-C₄-alkyleneoxy, in particular OCH₂ or OCH₂CH₂.

In a further preferred aspect, the group Z¹ is C₁-C₄-oxyalkylene, in particular CH₂O or CH₂CH₂O.

In a further preferred aspect, the group Z¹ is C₁-C₄-alkyleneoxy-C₁-C₄-alkylene, in particular OCH₂OCH₂ or OCH₂CH₂OCH₂.

Particularly preferred aspects of heterocycles attached via Z¹ include tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethoxymethyl and [1,3]dioxolan-2-ylmethoxy.

In another preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I.1, R² is a group selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, C₂-C₈-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₈-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, Z—C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy, Z—C₁-C₄-alkythio, Z—C₁-C₆-haloalkylthio, Z—C(═O)—R^(d) or S(O)_(n)R^(b), C₁-C₄-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkoxy.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I.1, R² is a group selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₄-alkoxy, C₂-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₃-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆-haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆-haloalkynyloxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, S(O)₂—C₁-C₈-alkyl, S(O)₂—C₁-C₈-haloalkyl and N—(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino-N-sulfonyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl.

In a particularly preferred aspect of these compounds of the formula I.1, R² is a group selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₃-C₆-alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₃-C₆-haloalkenyloxy, C₃-C₆-haloalkynyloxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, S(O)₂—C₁-C₄-alkyl and S(O)₂—C₁-C₆-haloalkyl.

Particularly preferred groups R² include C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₂-alkyl, C₃-C₄-alkenyloxy, C₃-C₄-alkynyloxy, C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl and S(O)₂—C₁-C₄-alkyl, chlorine, bromine. Special preference is given to CH═CH₂, CH═CHCH₃, CH₂OCH₂CF₃, OC₂H₅, OCH₂CH═CH₂, OCH₂C≡CH, OCH₂CH₂OCH₃, COOCH₃, COOC₂H₅ and SO₂CH₃, SO₂C₂H₅ and SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, cyclopropyl-methoxy-methyl (cyPr-CH₂—O—CH₂—), difluoromethoxy (CHF₂—O—); and 1,1,1-triflouroethoxy (CF₃CH₂—O—).

In a further preferred aspect, R² together with the group attached to the adjacent carbon atom forms a five- to ten-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or fully unsaturated mono- or bicyclic ring which, in addition to carbon atoms, may contain 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S and which may be substituted by further groups R^(c).

In a particularly preferred aspect, R² together with R¹ or R³ forms a five- to ten-membered mono- or bicyclic, saturated, partially unsaturated or fully unsaturated ring which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S and which may be partially or fully substituted by groups R^(c). Suitable are, for example, the following: 4-dihydro-2H-thiopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine 1,1-dioxide, 3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyrano[3,2-b]pyridine 1,1-dioxide, 2,3-dihydro-[1,4]dithiino[2,3-b]pyridine 1,1,4,4-tetraoxide, 1H-thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-2-one, 2,3-dihydrothieno[2,3-b]pyridine 1,1-dioxide, 1,8-naphthyridine, 1,5-naphthyridine, 1,7-naphthyridine and isothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine

Preferably, R² together with R¹ or R³ forms a five- or six-membered monocyclic, saturated or partially unsaturated ring.

In a further preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I (in particular of the formula I.1), R³ is hydrogen, cyano, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₄-alkynyloxy or S(O)_(n)R^(b).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I (in particular of the formula I.1), R³ is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₄-alkyl and S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, where n is preferably 0 or 2. Particularly preferably, R³ is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO₂, CH₃, CF₃, CHF₂, OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂, SCH₃, SCF₃, SCHF₂, SO₂CH₃ and SO₂CH₂CH₃.

In further preferred aspects of the formula I.1, the groups R¹, R² and R³ together form a substitution pattern selected from the group consisting of:

R¹=Cl, R²=H, R³=C;

R¹=Cl, R²=H, R³=CF₃;

R¹=Cl, R²=H, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=Cl, R²=H, R³=OCH₃;

R¹=Cl, R²=H, R³=CH₃;

R¹=CH₃, R²=H, R³=C;

R¹=CH₃, R²=H, R³=CF₃;

R¹=CH₃, R²=H, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=CH₃, R²=H, R³=OCH₃;

R¹=CF₃, R²=H, R³=CH₃;

R¹=CF₃, R²=H, R³=C;

R¹=CF₃, R²=H, R³=CF₃;

R¹=CF₃, R²=H, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=CF₃, R²=H, R³=OCH₃;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R²=H, R³=CH₃,

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R²=H, R³=Cl;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R²=H, R³=CF₃;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R²=H, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R²=H, R³=OCH₃; and

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R²=H, R³=CH₃.

In a further preferred embodiment of the HPPD-inhibibiting herbicides of the formula I, A is N, B is CR4, X is CRxRy, Y is SO2 and W is CR6. These compounds correspond to the formula I.2

where the variables have the meanings defined at the outset and preferably the meanings mentioned as preferred.

More preferably, in the compounds of the formula I.2, the group

-   R¹ is halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio     or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular F, Cl, Br, I, NO₂, CH₃, CF₃,     OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂, SCF₃, SCHF₂, SO₂CH₃, or CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃; and/or -   R³ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular     H, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO₂, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CF₃, CHF₂, OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂,     SCH₃, SO₂CH₃ or SO₂CH₂CH₃. -   R4 is H -   R5 is H or halogen -   R6 is H -   R7 is H -   R8 is H -   Rx, Ry is H or CH₃

Particularly preferably, in the compounds of the formula I.1, the group

-   R¹ is halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio     or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular F, Cl, Br, NO₂, CH₃, CF₃,     OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂, SCF₃, SCHF₂, SO₂CH₃, or CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃; and/or -   R³ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio or C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, in particular     H, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO₂, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CF₃, CHF₂, OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂,     SCH₃, SO₂CH₃ or SO₂CH₂CH₃.

In a further preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I (in particular of the formula I.2), R³ is hydrogen, cyano, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyloxy, C₂-C₄-alkynyloxy or S(O)_(n)R^(b).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the compounds of the formula I (in particular of the formula I.1), R³ is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₄-alkyl and S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, where n is preferably 0 or 2. Particularly preferably, R³ is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO₂, CH₃, CF₃, CHF₂, OCH₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂, SCH₃, SCF₃, SCHF₂, SO₂CH₃ and SO₂CH₂CH₃.

In further preferred aspects of the formula I.1, the groups R¹, R² and R³ together form a substitution pattern selected from the group consisting of:

R¹=Cl, R³=Cl;

R¹=Cl, R³=CF₃;

R¹=Cl, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=Cl, R³=OCH₃;

R¹=Cl, R³=CH₃;

R¹=CH₃, R³=Cl;

R¹=CH₃, R³=CF₃;

R¹=CH₃, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=CH₃, R³=OCH₃;

R¹=CF₃, R³=CH₃;

R¹=CF₃, R³=Cl;

R¹=CF₃, R³=CF₃;

R¹=CF₃, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=CF₃, R³=OCH₃;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R³=CH₃,

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R³=Cl;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R³=CF₃;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R³=SO₂CH₃;

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R³=OCH₃; and

R¹=SO₂CH₃, R³=CH₃.

In another preferred embodiment, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to a pyrazolone, isoxazole, or a triketone derivative herbicide.

Preferably the herbicide is selected from the group consisting of benzobicyclon, benzofenap, isoxaflutole, mesotrione, pyrasulfotole, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, sulcotrione, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, topramezone, bicyclopyrone (4-hydroxy-3-[[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl]carbonyl]-bicyclo[3.2.1]-oct-3-en-2-one).

In another preferred embodiment, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to an N-heterocyclylarylcarboxamide. N-heterocyclyl-arylcarboxamides which are particularly useful for the present invention encompasses the compounds as depicted in the following Table A.

TABLE A Possible substituents as defined in General Structure Publication Number Pages

WO2011/035874 or EP0173657 1 to 9 1 to 3

WO2012/028579 EP0173657 1 to 5 1 to 3

In another preferred embodiment, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to a bicycloarylcarboxamide. Bicycloarylcarboxamides which which are particularly useful for the present invention encompasses encompasses the compounds as depicted in the following Table B.

TABLE B Possible Substituents as defined in: Application number Publication No: General Structure and reference Number 1

PCT/EP2012/072692 PF72975 WO2013/072402 2

US 61/639081 PF73636 WO2013/076315

The above referenced application, in particular the disclosures referring to the compounds of Table B and their possible substitutents are entirely incorporated by reference.

In another preferred embodiment, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to a benzamide. Benzamides which which are particularly useful for the present invention encompasses encompasses the compounds as depicted in the following Table C.

TABLE C Possible Substituents as defined in: Application number Publication No: General Structure and reference Number 1

PCT/EP2012/ 072469 PF72974 WO2013/ 072300 2

US 61/639079 PF73635 WO2013/ 083859

The above referenced application, in particular the disclosures referring to the compounds of Table C and their possible substitutents are entirely incorporated by reference.

In another preferred embodiment, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to a heteroarylcarboxamide having the formula I:

-   wherein -   X¹ is N or CR¹; -   X² is N or CR²; -   X⁴ is N or CR⁴; -   provided that a least one of X¹, X² and X⁴ is N; -   R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, nitro,     halogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in     the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or     completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, O—R^(a),     Z—S(O)_(n)—R^(b), Z—C(═O)—R^(c), Z—C(═O)—OR^(d),     Z—C(═O)—NR^(e)R^(f), Z—NR^(g)R^(h), Z-phenyl and Z-heterocyclyl,     where heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-,     9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or     aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as     ring members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N     and S, where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or     substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups R′, which are identical or     different; -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of Z¹-cyano, halogen,     nitro, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, C₁-C₈-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₈-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     Z¹—C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     Z¹—C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy,     C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     Z¹—C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, Z¹—S(O)_(k)—R^(1b), Z¹-phenoxy and     Z¹-heterocyclyloxy, where heterocyclyloxy is an oxygen bound 3-, 4-,     5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic     saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which     contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring members, which are     selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, where the cyclic     groups in phenoxy and heterocyclyloxy are unsubstituted or     substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups R¹¹, which are identical or     different; -   R², R³ are identical or different and independently selected from     the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, Z²—OH, Z²—NO₂, Z²-cyano,     C₁-C₆-alkyl,     -   C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, Z²—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl,         Z²—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkoxy, where the C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl groups in the         two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or         completely halogenated, C₁-C₈-haloalkyl, Z²—C₁-C₈-alkoxy,         Z²—C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy,     -   Z²—C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         Z²—C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio, Z²—C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy,     -   Z²—C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy, Z²—C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy,     -   Z²—C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, Z²-(tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl,         Z²—S(O)_(k)—R^(2b),     -   Z²—C(═O)—R^(2c), Z²—C(═O)—OR^(2d), Z²—C(═O)—NR^(2e)R^(2f),         Z²—NR^(2g)R^(2h), Z^(2a)-phenyl and Z^(2a) heterocyclyl, where         heterocyclyl is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9-         or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or         aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as         ring members, which are selected from the group consisting of O,         N and S, where the cyclic groups in Z^(2a)-phenyl and         Z^(2a)-heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3         or 4 groups R²¹, which are identical or different; -   R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,     cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-haloalkyl; -   R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,     cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-haloalkyl; -   where for X²=CR², R² together with R³ or together with R¹, if     present, may also form a fused 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered     carbocycle or a fused 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered heterocycle,     where the fused heterocycle has 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected     from O, S and N as ring members, where the fused carbocycle and the     fused heterocycle are monocyclic or bicyclic and where the fused     carbocycle and the fused heterocycle are unsubstituted or carry 1,     2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 radicals R^(q); -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   k is 0, 1 or 2; -   R′, R¹¹, R²¹ independently of each other are selected from the group     consisting of halogen, NO₂, CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy,     C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₃-C₇-cycloalkoxy or two vicinal     radicals R′, R¹¹ or R²¹ together may form a group ═O (oxo); -   Z, Z¹, Z² independently of each other are selected from the group     consisting of a covalent bond and C₁-C₄-alkanediyl; -   Z^(2a) is selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond,     C₁-C₄-alkanediyl, O—C₁-C₄-alkanediyl, C₁-C₄-alkanediyl-O and     -   C₁-C₄-alkanediyl-O—C₁-C₄-alkanediyl; -   R^(a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,     C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where     the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are     unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated,     C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl,     where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3     or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the     group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy; -   R^(b), R^(1b), R^(2b) independently of each other are selected from     the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl is a 5- or     6-membered monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic     heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring     members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N and S,     where phenyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1,     2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected from     the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy; -   R^(c), R^(2c) independently of each other are selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in     the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or     completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, benzyl or heterocyclyl, where     heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated, partially     unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4     heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from the group     consisting of O, N and S, where phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl are     unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are     identical or different and selected from the group consisting of     halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and     C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy; -   R^(d), R^(2d) independently of each other are selected from the     group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in     the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or     completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl     are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are     identical or different and selected from the group consisting of     halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and     C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy; -   R^(e), R^(f) independently of each other are selected from the group     consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in     the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or partially or     completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl     are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are     identical or different and selected from the group consisting of     halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and     C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, or -   R^(e), R^(f) together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are     bound may form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated     N-bound heterocyclic radical, which may carry as a ring member a     further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is     unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical     or different and selected from the group consisting of halogen,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy; -   R^(2e), R^(2f) independently of each other have the meanings given     for R^(e), R^(f); -   R^(g) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,     C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where     the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are     unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated,     C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl,     where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3     or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected from the     group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,     C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy; -   R^(h) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,     C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where     the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are     unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated,     C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,     C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, a radical C(═O)—R^(k),     phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or     substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different     and selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, or -   R^(g), R^(h) together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are     bound may form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated     N-bound heterocyclic radical, which may carry as a ring member a     further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is     unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical     or different and selected from the group consisting of ═O, halogen,     C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy; -   R^(2g), R^(2h) independently of each other have the meanings given     for R^(g), R^(h); -   R^(k) has the meanings given for R^(c); -   R^(q) is selected from the group consisting of halogen, Z^(q)—OH,     Z^(q)—NO₂, Z^(q)-cyano, oxo (═O), ═N—R^(q1), C₁-C₄-alkyl,     C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl, Z^(q)—C₁-C₄-alkoxy,     Z^(q)—C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkylthio,     C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, Z^(q)—C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy,     Z^(q)—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl, O—Z^(q)—C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl,     Z^(q)-(tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl, Z^(q)—S(O)_(k)—R^(q2),     Z²—C(═O)—R^(q3), Z²—NR^(q4)R^(q5) and Z^(q)-phenyl, where phenyl in     Z^(q)-phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups     R^(q6), which are identical or different; where     -   Z^(q) has one of the meanings given for Z;     -   R^(q1) C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy and C₃-C₇-cycloalkoxy,         which is unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated;     -   R^(q2) has one of the meanings given for R^(b);     -   R^(q3) has one of the meanings given for R^(c);     -   R^(q4), R^(q5) independently of each other have the meanings         given for R^(g), R^(h);     -   R^(q6) has one of the meanings given for R′;         -   or an N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to a heteroarylcarboxamide having the formula I:

-   -   wherein     -   B is N or CH;     -   X¹ is N or CR¹;     -   X² is N or CR²;     -   X³ is N or CR³;     -   X⁴ is N or CR⁴;     -   provided that a least one of X¹, X³ and X⁴ is N;     -   R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned         radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely         halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, R^(b)—S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₃-alkyl,         R^(c)—C(═O)—C₁-C₃-alkyl, R^(d)O—C(═O)—C₁-C₃-alkyl,         R^(e)R^(f)N—C(═O)—C₁-C₃-alkyl, R^(g)R^(h)N—C₁-C₃-alkyl, phenyl-Z         and heterocyclyl-Z, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated,         partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1,         2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from         the group consisting of O, N and S, where phenyl and         heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4         groups R′, which are identical or different;     -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of cyano-Z¹, halogen,         nitro, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl,         C₁-C₈-haloalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z¹, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio-Z¹, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy,         C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy,         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z¹,         R^(1b)—S(O)_(k)—Z¹, phenoxy-Z¹ and heterocyclyloxy-Z¹, where         heterocyclyloxy is an oxygen bound 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated,         partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1,         2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from         the group consisting of O, N and S, where the cyclic groups in         phenoxy and heterocyclyloxy are unsubstituted or substituted by         1, 2, 3 or 4 groups R¹¹, which are identical or different;     -   R², R³ are identical or different and independently selected         from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, OH—Z², NO₂—Z²,         cyano-Z², C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl,         C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl-Z², C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkoxy-Z², where the         C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are         unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated,         C₁-C₈-haloalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy-Z², C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy-Z²,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z²,         C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio-Z², C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy-Z²,         C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy-Z², C₂-C₈-haloalkenyloxy-Z²,         C₂-C₈-haloalkynyloxy-Z², C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z²,         (tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl-Z², R^(2b)—S(O)_(k)—Z², R^(2c)—C(═O)—Z²,         R^(2d)O—C(═O)—Z², R^(2e)R^(2f)N—C(═O)—Z², R^(2g)R^(2h)N—Z²,         phenyl-Z^(2a) and heterocyclyl-Z^(2a), where heterocyclyl is a         3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered         bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic         heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring         members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N         and S, where the cyclic groups in phenyl-Z^(2a) and         heterocyclyl-Z^(2a) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3         or 4 groups R²¹, which are identical or different;     -   R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,         cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-haloalkyl;     -   R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,         cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-haloalkyl;     -   where for X²=CR², R² together with R³, if present, or together         with R¹, if present, may also form a fused 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or         10-membered carbocycle or a fused 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or         10-membered heterocycle, where the fused heterocycle has 1, 2, 3         or 4 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N as ring members, where         the fused carbocycle and the fused heterocycle are monocyclic or         bicyclic and where the fused carbocycle and the fused         heterocycle are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9         or 10 radicals R^(q);     -   n is 0, 1 or 2;     -   k is 0, 1 or 2;     -   R′, R¹¹, R²¹ independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of halogen, NO₂, CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkyloxy,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy and         C₃-C₇-cycloalkoxy or two vicinal radicals R′, R¹¹ or R²¹         together may form a group ═O (oxo);     -   Z, Z¹, Z² independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of a covalent bond and C₁-C₄-alkanediyl;     -   Z^(2a) is selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond,         C₁-C₄-alkanediyl, O—C₁-C₄-alkanediyl, C₁-C₄-alkanediyl-O and         -   C₁-C₄-alkanediyl-O—C₁-C₄-alkanediyl;     -   R^(b), R^(1b), R^(2b) independently of each other are selected         from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where         heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated,         partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1,         2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from         the group consisting of O, N and S, where phenyl and         heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4         groups, which are identical or different and selected from the         group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(c), R^(2c) independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups         in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or         partially or completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, benzyl and         heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic         heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring         members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N         and S, where phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted         or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or         different and selected from the group consisting of halogen,         C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(d), R^(2d) independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups         in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or         partially or completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl,         where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1,         2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected         from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(e), R^(f) independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups         in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or         partially or completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl,         where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1,         2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected         from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, or     -   R^(e), R^(f) together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are         bound may form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated         N-bound heterocyclic radical, which may carry as a ring member a         further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is         unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are         identical or different and selected from the group consisting of         halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(2e), R^(2f) independently of each other have the meanings         given for R^(e), R^(f);     -   R^(g) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned         radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely         halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or         substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or         different and selected from the group consisting of halogen,         C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(h) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned         radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely         halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, a         radical C(═O)—R^(k), phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl         are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which         are identical or different and selected from the group         consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, or     -   R^(g), R^(h) together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are         bound may form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated         N-bound heterocyclic radical, which may carry as a ring member a         further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is         unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are         identical or different and selected from the group consisting of         oxo (═O), halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy         and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(2g), R^(2h) independently of each other have the meanings         given for R^(g), R^(h);     -   R^(k) has the meanings given for R^(c);     -   R^(q) is selected from the group consisting of halogen,         OH—Z^(q), NO₂—Z^(q), cyano-Z^(q), oxo (═O), R^(q1)N═,         C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄-alkynyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z^(q), C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z^(q),         C₁-C₄-alkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-Z^(q),         -   C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl-Z^(q), C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl-Z^(q)—O,             (tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl-Z^(q), R^(q2)—S(O)_(k)—Z^(q),             R^(q3)—C(═O)—Z^(q), R^(q4)R^(q5)N—Z^(q) and phenyl-Z^(q),             where phenyl in phenyl-Z^(q) is unsubstituted or substituted             by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups R^(q6), which are identical or             different; where         -   Z^(q) has one of the meanings given for Z;         -   R^(q1) C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy and C₃-C₇-cycloalkoxy,             which is unsubstituted or partially or completely             halogenated;         -   R^(q2) has one of the meanings given for R^(b);         -   R^(q3) has one of the meanings given for R^(c);         -   R^(q4), R^(q5) independently of each other have the meanings             given for R^(g), R^(h);         -   R^(q6) has one of the meanings given for R′;     -   an N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide refers to a pyridylcarboxamide having the formula I:

where

-   -   B is N or CH;     -   R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned         radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely         halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, R^(b)—S(O)_(n)—C₁-C₃-alkyl,         R^(c)—C(═O)—C₁-C₃-alkyl, R^(d)O—C(═O)—C₁-C₃-alkyl,         R^(e)R^(f)N—C(═O)—C₁-C₃-alkyl, R^(g)R^(h)N—C₁-C₃-alkyl, phenyl-Z         and heterocyclyl-Z, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated,         partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1,         2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from         the group consisting of O, N and S, where phenyl and         heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4         groups R′, which are identical or different;     -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of cyano-Z¹, halogen,         nitro, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl,         C₁-C₈-haloalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z¹, C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio-Z¹, C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy,         C₂-C₆-alkynyloxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy,         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z¹,         R^(1b)—S(O)_(k)—Z¹, phenoxy-Z¹, and heterocyclyloxy-Z¹, where         heterocyclyloxy is an oxygen bound 5- or 6-membered monocyclic         or 8-, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic saturated, partially         unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4         heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from the group         consisting of O, N and S, where the cyclic groups in phenoxy and         heterocyclyloxy are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4         groups R¹¹, which are identical or different;     -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,         OH—Z², NO₂—Z², cyano-Z², C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl,         C₂-C₈-alkynyl, C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl-Z², C₃-C₁₀cycloalkoxy-Z², where         the C₃-C₁₀-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals         are unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated,         C₁-C₈-haloalkyl, C₁-C₈-alkoxy-Z², C₁-C₈-haloalkoxy-Z²,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z²,         C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkylthio-Z², C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy-Z²,         C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy-Z², C₂-C₈-haloalkenyloxy-Z²,         C₂-C₈-haloalkynyloxy-Z², C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy-Z²,         (tri-C₁-C₄-alkyl)silyl-Z², R^(2b)—S(O)_(k)—Z², R^(2c)—C(═O)—Z²,         R^(2d)O—C(═O)—Z², R^(2e)R^(2f) N—C(═O)—Z², R^(2g)R^(2h)N—Z²,         phenyl-Z^(2a) and heterocyclyl-Z^(2a), where heterocyclyl is a         3-,4-, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 8-, 9- or 10-membered         bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic         heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring         members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N         and S, where the cyclic groups in phenyl-Z^(2a) and         heterocyclyl-Z^(2a) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3         or 4 groups R²¹, which are identical or different;     -   R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,         cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-haloalkyl;     -   R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,         C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-haloalkyl;     -   provided that at least one of the radicals R⁴ and R⁵ is         different from hydrogen;     -   n is 0, 1 or 2;     -   k is 0, 1 or 2;     -   R′, R¹¹, R²¹ independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of halogen, NO₂, CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkylthio-C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkoxy, C₃-C₇-cycloalkoxy and         C₁-C₆-haloalkyloxy, or two vicinal radicals R′, R¹¹ or R²¹         together may form a group ═O;     -   Z, Z¹, Z² independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of a covalent bond and C₁-C₄-alkanediyl;     -   Z^(2a) is selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond,         C₁-C₄-alkanediyl, O—C₁-C₄-alkanediyl, C₁-C₄-alkanediyl-O and         -   C₁-C₄-alkanediyl-O—C₁-C₄-alkanediyl;     -   R^(b), R^(1b), R^(2b) independently of each other are selected         from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, phenyl and heterocyclyl, where         heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic saturated,         partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle, which contains 1,         2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring members, which are selected from         the group consisting of O, N and S, where phenyl and         heterocyclyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4         groups, which are identical or different and selected from the         group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(c), R^(2c) independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups         in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or         partially or completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, benzyl and         heterocyclyl, where heterocyclyl is a 5- or 6-membered         monocyclic saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic         heterocycle, which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms as ring         members, which are selected from the group consisting of O, N         and S, where phenyl, benzyl and heterocyclyl are unsubstituted         or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or         different and selected from the group consisting of halogen,         C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(d), R^(2d) independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups         in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or         partially or completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl,         where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1,         2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected         from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(e), R^(f) independently of each other are selected from the         group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups         in the two aforementioned radicals are unsubstituted or         partially or completely halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl and benzyl,         where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or substituted by 1,         2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or different and selected         from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl,         C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, or     -   R^(e), R^(f) together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are         bound may form a 5-, 6 or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated         N-bound heterocyclic radical, which may carry as a ring member a         further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is         unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are         identical or different and selected from the group consisting of         halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(2e), R^(2f) independently of each other have the meanings         given for R^(e), R^(f);     -   R^(g) is from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl,         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where the         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned radicals are         unsubstituted or partially or completely halogenated,         C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl are unsubstituted or         substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are identical or         different and selected from the group consisting of halogen,         C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(h) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl,         where the C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl groups in the two aforementioned         radicals are unsubstituted or partially or completely         halogenated, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₆-alkynyl, C₂-C₆-haloalkynyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl, a         radical C(═O)—R^(k), phenyl and benzyl, where phenyl and benzyl         are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which         are identical or different and selected from the group         consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl,         C₁-C₄-alkoxy and C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy, or     -   R^(g), R^(h) together with the nitrogen atom, to which they are         bound may form a 5-, 6 or 7-membered, saturated or unsaturated         N-bound heterocyclic radical, which may carry as a ring member a         further heteroatom selected from O, S and N and which is         unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups, which are         identical or different and selected from the group consisting of         ═O, halogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₄-haloalkyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxy and         C₁-C₄-haloalkoxy;     -   R^(2g), R^(2h) independently of each other have the meanings         given for R^(g), R^(h);     -   R^(k) has the meanings given for R^(c);         -   an N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof.

The HPPD-inhibiting herbicides useful for the present invention are often best applied in conjunction with one or more other herbicides to obtain control of a wider variety of undesirable vegetation. When used in conjunction with other herbicides, the presently claimed compounds can be formulated with the other herbicide or herbicides, tank mixed with the other herbicide or herbicides, or applied sequentially with the other herbicide or herbicides.

Consequently, in certain embodiments, the mutated HPPD nucleic acids of the present invention can be stacked with any combination of polynucleotide sequences of interest in order to create plants with a desired phenotype. For example, the mutated HPPD nucleic acids of the present invention may be stacked with any other polynucleotides encoding polypeptides having pesticidal and/or insecticidal activity, such as, for example, the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin proteins (described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,366,892; 5,747,450; 5,737,514; 5,723,756; 5,593,881; and Geiser et al (1986) Gene 48: 109). The combinations generated can also include multiple copies of any one of the polynucleotides of interest.

By way of example, polynucleotides that may be stacked with the nucleic acids of the present invention include nucleic acids encoding polypeptides conferring resistance to pests/pathogens such as viruses, nematodes, insects or fungi, and the like. Exemplary polynucleotides that may be stacked with nucleic acids of the invention include polynucleotides encoding: polypeptides having pesticidal and/or insecticidal activity, such as other Bacillus thuringiensis toxic proteins (described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,366,892; 5,747,450; 5,737,514; 5,723,756; 5,593,881; and Geiser et al., (1986) Gene 48:109), lectins (Van Damme et al. (1994) Plant Mol. Biol. 24:825, pentin (described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,722), and the like; traits desirable for disease or herbicide resistance (e.g., fumonisin detoxification genes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,931); avirulence and disease resistance genes (Jones et al. (1994) Science 266:789; Martin et al., (1993) Science 262:1432; Mindrinos et al. (1994) Cell 78:1089); acetolactate synthase (ALS) mutants that lead to herbicide resistance such as the S4 and/or Hra mutations; glyphosate resistance (e.g., 5-enol-pyrovyl-shikimate-3-phosphate-synthase (EPSPS) gene, described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,940,935 and 5,188,642; or the glyphosate N-acetyltransferase (GAT) gene, described in Castle et al. (2004) Science, 304:1151-1154; and in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 20070004912, 20050246798, and 20050060767)); glufosinate resistance (e.g, phosphinothricin acetyl transferase genes PAT and BAR, described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,561,236 and 5,276,268); resistance to herbicides including sulfonyl urea, DHT (2,4D), and PPO herbicides (e.g., glyphosate acetyl transferase, aryloxy alkanoate dioxygenase, acetolactate synthase, and protoporphyrinogen oxidase); a cytochrome P450 or variant thereof that confers herbicide resistance or tolerance to, inter alia, HPPD herbicides (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/156,247; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,380,465; 6,121,512; 5,349,127; 6,649,814; and 6,300,544; and PCT Patent App. Pub. No. WO2007000077); and traits desirable for processing or process products such as high oil (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,529); modified oils (e.g., fatty acid desaturase genes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,544; WO 94/11516)); modified starches (e.g., ADPG pyrophosphorylases (AGPase), starch synthases (SS), starch branching enzymes (SBE), and starch debranching enzymes (SDBE)); and polymers or bioplastics (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,321; beta-ketothiolase, polyhydroxybutyrate synthase, and acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (Schubert et al. (1988) J. Bacteriol. 170:5837-5847) facilitate expression of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)); the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plant comprises at least one additional heterologous nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a herbicide tolerance enzyme selected, for example, from the group consisting of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), Glyphosate acetyl transferase (GAT), Cytochrome P450, phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT), Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS; EC 4.1.3.18, also known as acetolactate synthase or ALS), Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPGO), Phytoene desaturase (PD) and dicamba degrading enzymes as disclosed in WO 02/068607.

Generally, the herbicidal compounds useful for the present invention may be used in conjunction with additional herbicides to which the crop plant is naturally tolerant, or to which it is resistant via expression of one or more additional transgenes, e.g. those mentioned SUPRA, or to which it is resistant via mutagenesis and breeding methods as described above in greater detail.

Preferably, herbicides that can be applied in conjunction with one or more other HPPDherbicides to obtain control of a wider variety of undesirable vegetation include sulfonamides such as metosulam, flumetsulam, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, penoxsulam and florasulam, sulfonylureas such as chlorimuron, tribenuron, sulfometuron, nicosulfuron, chlorsulfuron, amidosulfuron, triasulfuron, prosulfuron, tritosulfuron, thifensulfuron, sulfosulfuron and metsulfuron, imidazolinones such as imazaquin, imazapic, ima-zethapyr, imzapyr, imazamethabenz and imazamox, phenoxyalkanoic acids such as 2,4-D, MCPA, dichlorprop and mecoprop, pyridinyloxyacetic acids such as triclopyr and fluroxypyr, carboxylic acids such as clopyralid, picloram, aminopyralid and dicamba, dinitroanilines such as trifluralin, benefin, benfluralin and pendimethalin, chloroacetanilides such as alachlor, acetochlor and metolachlor, semicarbazones (auxin transport inhibitors) such as chlorflurenol and diflufenzopyr, aryloxyphenoxypropionates such as fluazifop, haloxyfop, diclofop, clodinafop and fenoxaprop and other common herbicides including glyphosate, glufosinate, acifluorfen, bentazon, clomazone, fumiclorac, fluometuron, fomesafen, lactofen, linuron, isoproturon, simazine, norflurazon, paraquat, diuron, diflufenican, picolinafen, cinidon, sethoxydim, tralkoxydim, quinmerac, isoxaben, bromoxynil, metribuzin and mesotrione, glyphosate, glufosinate.

Unless already included in the disclosure above, the additional herbicides that can be applied in conjunction with one or more other HPPD—herbicides to obtain control of a wider variety of undesirable vegetation can, further, comprise compounds:

-   (a) from the group of Lipid Biosynthesis Inhibitors:     -   Alloxydim, Alloxydim-natrium, Butroxydim, Clethodim, Clodinafop,         Clodinafop-propargyl, Cycloxydim, Cyhalofop, Cyhalofop-butyl,         Diclofop, Diclofop-methyl, Fenoxaprop, Fenoxaprop-ethyl,         Fenoxaprop-P, Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, Fluazifop, Fluazifop-butyl,         Fluazifop-P, Fluazifop-P-butyl, Haloxyfop, Haloxyfop-methyl,         Haloxyfop-P, HaloxyfopP-methyl, Metamifop, Pinoxaden,         Profoxydim, Propaquizafop, Quizalofop, Quizalofopethyl,         Quizalofop-tefuryl, Quizalofop-P, Quizalofop-P-ethyl,         Quizalofop-P-tefuryl, Sethoxydim, Tepraloxydim, Tralkoxydim,         Benfuresat, Butylat, Cycloat, Dalapon, Dimepiperat, EPTC,         Esprocarb, Ethofumesat, Flupropanat, Molinat, Orbencarb,         Pebulat, Prosulfocarb, TCA, Thiobencarb, Tiocarbazil, Triallat         and Vernolat; -   (b) from the group of Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) Inhibitors:     -   Amidosulfuron, Azimsulfuron, Bensulfuron, Bensulfuron-methyl,         Bispyribac, Bispyribac-natrium, Chlorimuron, Chlorimuron-ethyl,         Chlorsulfuron, Cinosulfuron, Cloransulam, Cloransulam-methyl,         Cyclosulfamuron, Diclosulam, Ethametsulfuron,         Ethametsulfuron-methyl, Ethoxysulfuron, Flazasulfuron,         Florasulam, Flucarbazon, Flucarbazon-natrium, Flucetosulfuron,         Flumetsulam, Flupyrsulfuron, Flupyrsulfuron-methyl-natrium,         Foramsulfuron, Halosulfuron, Halosulfuron-methyl,         Imazamethabenz, Imazamethabenz-methyl, Imazamox, Imazapic,         Imazapyr, Imazaquin, Ima-zethapyr, Imazosulfuron, Iodosulfuron,         Iodosulfuron-methyl-natrium, Mesosulfuron, Metosulam,         Metsulfuron, Metsulfuron-methyl, Nicosulfuron, Orthosulfamuron,         Oxasulfuron, Penoxsulam, Primisulfuron, Primisulfuron-methyl,         Propoxycarbazon, Propoxycarbazon-natrium, Prosulfuron,         Pyrazosulfuron, Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, Pyribenzoxim,         Pyrimisulfan, Pyriftalid, Pyriminobac, Pyriminobac-methyl,         Pyrithiobac, Pyrithiobac-natrium, Pyroxsulam, Rimsulfuron,         Sulfometuron, Sulfometuron-methyl, Sulfosulfuron, Thiencarbazon,         Thiencarbazon-methyl, Thifensulfuron, Thifensulfuron-methyl,         Triasulfuron, Tribenuron, Tribenuron-methyl, Trifloxysulfuron,         Triflusulfuron, Triflusulfuron-methyl and Tritosulfuron; -   (c) from the group of Photosynthesis-Inhibitors:     -   Ametryn, Amicarbazon, Atrazin, Bentazon, Bentazon-natrium,         Bromacil, Bromofenoxim, Bromoxynil and its salts and esters,         Chlorobromuron, Chloridazon, Chlorotoluron, Chloroxuron,         Cyanazin, Desmedipham, Desmetryn, Dimefuron, Dimethametryn,         Diquat, Diquat-dibromid, Diuron, Fluometuron, Hexazinon, loxynil         and its salts and esters, Isoproturon, Isouron, Karbutilat,         Lenacil, Linuron, Metamitron,     -   Methabenzthiazuron, Metobenzuron, Metoxuron, Metribuzin,         Monolinuron, Neburon, Paraquat, Paraquat-dichlorid,         Paraquat-dimetilsulfat, Pentanochlor, Phenmedipham,         Phenmedipham-ethyl, Prometon, Prometryn, Propanil, Propazin,         Pyridafol, Pyridat, Siduron, Simazin, Simetryn, Tebuthiuron,         Terbacil, Terbumeton, Terbuthylazin, Terbutryn, Thidiazuron and         Trietazin; -   d) from the group of Protoporphyrinogen-lX-Oxidase-Inhibitors:     -   Acifluorfen, Acifluorfen-natrium, Azafenidin, Bencarbazon,         Benzfendizon, Benzoxazinone (as described in WO2010/145992)         Bifenox, Butafenacil, Carfentrazon, Carfentrazon-ethyl,         Chlomethoxyfen, Cinidon-ethyl, Fluazolat, Flufenpyr,         Flufenpyr-ethyl, Flumiclorac, Flumiclorac-pentyl, Flumioxazin,         Fluoroglycofen, Fluoroglycofen-ethyl, Fluthiacet,         Fluthiacet-methyl, Fomesafen, Halosafen, Lactofen, Oxadiargyl,         Oxadiazon, Oxyfluorfen, Pentoxazon, Profluazol, Pyraclonil,         Pyraflufen, Pyraflufen-ethyl, Saflufenacil, Sulfentrazon,         Thidiazimin,         2-Chlor-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluormethyl)-1         (2H)-pyrimidinyl]-4-fluor-N-[(isopropyl)methylsulfamoyl]benzamid         (H-1; CAS 372137-35-4),         [3-[2-Chlor-4-fluor-5-(1-methyl-6-trifluormethyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydropyrimidin-3-yl)phenoxy]-2-pyridyloxy]acetic         acidethylester (H-2; CAS 353292-31-6),         N-Ethyl-3-(2,6-dichlor-4-trifluormethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-carboxamid         (H-3; CAS 452098-92-9),         N-Tetrahydrofurfuryl-3-(2,6-dichlor-4-trifluormethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-carboxamid         (H-4; CAS 915396-43-9),         N-Ethyl-3-(2-chlor-6-fluor-4-trifluormethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-carboxamid         (H-5; CAS 452099-05-7) and         N-Tetrahydrofurfuryl-3-(2-chlor-6-fluor-4-trifluormethylphenoxy)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-carboxamid         (H-6; CAS 45100-03-7); -   e) from the group of Bleacher-Herbicides:     -   Aclonifen, Amitrol, Beflubutamid, Benzobicyclon, Benzofenap,         Clomazon, Coumarone-derivative herbicides, Diflufenican,         Fluridon, Flurochloridon, Flurtamon, Isoxaflutol, Mesotrion,         Norflurazon, Picolinafen, Pyrasulfutol, Pyrazolynat,         Pyrazoxyfen, Sulcotrion, Tefuryltrion, Tembotrion, Topramezon,         4-Hydroxy-3-[[2-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(trifluormethyl)-3-pyridyl]carbonyl]bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one         (H-7; CAS 352010-68-5) and         4-(3-Trifluormethylphenoxy)-2-(4-trifluormethylphenyl)pyrimidin         (H-8; CAS 180608-33-7); -   f) from the group of     5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate-synthase-Inhibitors:     -   Glyphosat, Glyphosat-isopropylammonium and Glyphosat-trimesium         (Sulfosat); -   g) from the group of Glutamin-Synthase-Inhibitors:     -   Bilanaphos (Bialaphos), Bilanaphos-natrium, Glufosinat and         Glufosinat-ammonium; -   h) from the group of DHP-Synthase-Inhibitors: Asulam; -   i) from the group of Mitose-Inhibitors:     -   Amiprophos, Amiprophos-methyl, Benfluralin, Butamiphos,         Butralin, Carbetamid, Chlorpropham, Chlorthal,         Chlorthal-dimethyl, Dinitramin, Dithiopyr, Ethalfluralin,         Fluchloralin, Oryzalin, Pendimethalin, Prodiamin, Propham,         Propyzamid, Tebutam, Thiazopyr and Trifluralin; -   j) from the group of VLCFA-Inhibitors:     -   Acetochlor, Alachlor, Anilofos, Butachlor, Cafenstrol,         Dimethachlor, Dimethanamid, Dimethenamid-P, Diphenamid,         Fentrazamid, Flufenacet, Mefenacet, Metazachlor, Metolachlor,         Metolachlor-S, Naproanilid, Napropamid, Pethoxamid, Piperophos,         Pretilachlor, Propachlor, Propisochlor, Pyroxasulfon (KIH-485)         and Thenylchlor;

Compounds of the formula 2:

Particularly preferred Compounds of the formula 2 are:

3-[5-(2,2-Difluor-ethoxy)-1-methyl-3-trifluormethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethansulfonyl]-4-fluor-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol (2-1); 3-{[5-(2,2-Difluor-ethoxy)-1-methyl-3-trifluormethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-fluor-methansulfonyl}-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol (2-2); 4-(4-Fluor-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol-3-sulfonylmethyl)-2-methyl-5-trifluormethyl-2H-[1,2,3]triazol (2-3); 4-[(5,5-Dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol-3-sulfonyl)-fluor-methyl]-2-methyl-5-trifluormethyl-2H-[1,2,3]triazol (2-4); 4-(5,5-Dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol-3-sulfonylmethyl)-2-methyl-5-trifluormethyl-2H-[1,2,3]triazol (2-5); 3-{[5-(2,2-Difluor-ethoxy)-1-methyl-3-trifluormethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-difluor-methansulfonyl}-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol (2-6); 4-[(5,5-Dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol-3-sulfonyl)-difluor-methyl]-2-methyl-5-trifluormethyl-2H[1,2,3]triazol (2-7); 3-{[5-(2,2-Difluor-ethoxy)-1-methyl-3-trifluormethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-difluor-methansulfonyl}-4-fluor-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol (2-8); 4-[Difluor-(4-fluor-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol-3-sulfonyl)-methyl]-2-methyl-5-trifluormethyl-2H-[1,2,3]triazol (2-9);

-   k) from the group of Cellulose-Biosynthesis-Inhibitors:     -   Chlorthiamid, Dichlobenil, Flupoxam and Isoxaben; -   l) from the group of Uncoupling-Herbicides:     -   Dinoseb, Dinoterb and DNOC and its salts; -   m) from the group of Auxin-Herbicides:     -   2,4-D and its salts and esters, 2,4-DB and its salts and esters,         Aminopyralid and its salts wie         Aminopyralid-tris(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium and its esters,         Benazolin, Benazolin-ethyl, Chloramben and its salts and esters,         Clomeprop, Clopyralid and its salts and esters, Dicamba and its         salts and esters, Dichlorprop and its salts and esters,         Dichlorprop-P and its salts and esters, Fluroxypyr,         Fluroxypyr-butometyl, Fluroxypyr-meptyl, MCPA and its salts and         esters, MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB and its salts and esters, Mecoprop         and its salts and esters, Mecoprop-P and its salts and esters,         Picloram and its salts and esters, Quinclorac, Quinmerac, TBA         (2,3,6) and its salts and esters, Triclopyr and its salts and         esters, and 5,6-Dichlor-2-cyclopropyl-4-pyrimidincarbonic acid         (H-9; CAS 858956-08-8) and its salts and esters; -   n) from the group of Auxin-Transport-Inhibitors: Diflufenzopyr,     Diflufenzopyr-natrium, Naptalam and Naptalam-natrium; -   o) from the group of other Herbicides: Bromobutid, Chlorflurenol,     Chlorflurenol-methyl, Cinmethylin, Cumyluron, Dalapon, Dazomet,     Difenzoquat, Difenzoquat-metilsulfate, Dimethipin, DSMA, Dymron,     Endothal and its salts, Etobenzanid, Flamprop, Flamprop-isopropyl,     Flamprop-methyl Flamprop-M-isopropyl, Flamprop-M-methyl, Flurenol,     Flurenol-butyl, Flurprimidol, Fosamin, Fosamine-ammonium, Indanofan,     Maleinic acidhydrazid, Mefluidid, Metam, Methylazid, Methylbromid,     Methyl-dymron, Methyljodid. MSMA, oleic acid, Oxaziclomefon,     Pelargonic acid, Pyributicarb, Quinoclamin, Triaziflam, Tridiphan     and 6-Chlor-3-(2-cyclopropyl-6-methylphenoxy)-4-pyridazinol (H-10;     CAS 499223-49-3) and its salts and esters.

Examples for preferred Safeners C are Benoxacor, Cloquintocet, Cyometrinil, Cyprosulfamid, Dichlormid, Dicyclonon, Dietholate, Fenchlorazol, Fenclorim, Flurazol, Fluxofenim, Furilazol, Isoxadifen, Mefenpyr, Mephenat, Naphthalic acid anhydrid, Oxabetrinil, 4-(Dichloracetyl)-1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.5]decan (H-11; MON4660, CAS 71526-07-3) and 2,2,5-Trimethyl-3-(dichloracetyl)-1,3-oxazolidin (H-12; R-29148, CAS 52836-31-4).

The compounds of groups a) to o) and the Safeners C are known Herbicides and Safeners, see e.g. The Compendium of Pesticide Common Names (http://www.alanwood.net/pesticides/); B. Hock, C. Fedtke, R. R. Schmidt, Herbicides, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 1995. Other herbicidal effectors are known from WO 96/26202, WO 97/41116, WO 97/41117, WO 97/41118, WO 01/83459 and WO 2008/074991 as well as from W. Kramer et al. (ed.) “Modern Crop Protection Compounds”, Vol. 1, Wiley VCH, 2007 and the literature cited therein.

Prior to application, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide can be converted into the customary formulations, for example solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dusts, powders, pastes and granules. The use form depends on the particular intended purpose; in each case, it should ensure a fine and even distribution of the compound according to the invention.

The formulations can be prepared in a known manner (see e.g. for review U.S. Pat. No. 3,060,084, EP-A 707 445 (for liquid concentrates), Browning, “Agglomeration”, Chemical Engineering, Dec. 4, 1967, 147-48, Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook, 4th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1963, pages 8-57 and et seq. WO 91/13546, U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,714, U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,050, U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,442, U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,587, U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,701, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,030, GB 2,095,558, U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,566, Klingman, Weed Control as a Science, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961, Hance et al., Weed Control Handbook, 8th Ed., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1989 and Mollet, H., Grubemann, A., Formulation technology, Wiley VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim (Germany), 2001, 2. D. A. Knowles, Chemistry and Technology of Agrochemical Formulations, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1998 (ISBN 0-7514-0443-8), for example by extending the active compound with auxiliaries suitable for the formulation of agrochemicals, such as solvents and/or carriers, if desired emulsifiers, surfactants and dispersants, preservatives, antifoaming agents, anti-freezing agents, for seed treatment formulation also optionally colorants and/or binders and/or gelling agents.

In general, the formulations comprise from 0.01 to 95% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 90% by weight, of the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide. In this case, the HPPD-inhibiting herbicides are employed in a purity of from 90% to 100% by weight, preferably 95% to 100% by weight (according to NMR spectrum). For seed treatment purposes, respective formulations can be diluted 2-10 fold leading to concentrations in the ready to use preparations of 0.01 to 60% by weight active compound by weight, preferably 0.1 to 40% by weight. The HPPD-inhibiting herbicide can be used as such, in the form of their formulations or the use forms prepared therefrom, for example in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions or dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dustable products, materials for spreading, or granules, by means of spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading or pouring. The use forms depend entirely on the intended purposes; they are intended to ensure in each case the finest possible distribution of the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide according to the invention. Aqueous use forms can be prepared from emulsion concentrates, pastes or wettable powders (sprayable powders, oil dispersions) by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes or oil dispersions, the substances, as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent, can be homogenized in water by means of a wetter, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier. However, it is also possible to prepare concentrates composed of active substance, wetter, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier and, if appropriate, solvent or oil, and such concentrates are suitable for dilution with water. The active compound concentrations in the ready-to-use preparations can be varied within relatively wide ranges. In general, they are from 0.0001 to 10%, preferably from 0.01 to 1% per weight. The HPPD-inhibiting herbicide may also be used successfully in the ultra-low-volume process (ULV), it being possible to apply formulations comprising over 95% by weight of active compound, or even to apply the active compound without additives. Suitable formulations are described in detail in PCT/EP2009/063387 and PCT/EP2009/063386, which are incorporated herein by reference.

In other aspects, a method for treating a plant of the present invention is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting the plant with an agronomically acceptable composition as defined above.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a descendent seed. The method comprises planting a seed of or capable of producing a plant of the present invention. In one embodiment, the method further comprises growing a descendent plant from the seed; and harvesting a descendant seed from the descendent plant. In other embodiments, the method further comprises applying a HPPD-inhibiting herbicides herbicidal composition to the descendent plant.

In another embodiment, the invention refers to harvestable parts of the transgenic plant according to the present invention. Preferably, the harvestable parts comprise the mutated HPPD nucleic acid or mutated HPPD protein of the present invention. The harvestable parts may be seeds, roots, leaves and/or flowers comprising the mutated HPPD nucleic acid or mutated HPPD protein or parts thereof. Preferred parts of soy plants are soy beans comprising the mutated HPPD nucleic acid or mutated HPPD protein.

In another embodiment, the invention refers to products derived from a transgenic plant according to the present invention, parts thereof or harvestable parts thereof. A preferred product is meal or oil, preferably, soybean meal or soybean oil. Preferably, the soybean meal and/or oil comprises the mutated HPPD nucleic acid or mutated HPPD protein.

In another embodiment, the invention refers to a method for the production of a product, which method comprises

-   -   a) growing the plants of the invention or obtainable by the         methods of invention and     -   b) producing said product from or by the plants of the invention         and/or parts, e.g. seeds, of these plants.

In a further embodiment the method comprises the steps

-   a) growing the plants of the invention, -   b) removing the harvestable parts as defined above from the plants     and -   c) producing said product from or by the harvestable parts of the     invention.

The product may be produced at the site where the plant has been grown, the plants and/or parts thereof may be removed from the site where the plants have been grown to produce the product. Typically, the plant is grown, the desired harvestable parts are removed from the plant, if feasible in repeated cycles, and the product made from the harvestable parts of the plant. The step of growing the plant may be performed only once each time the methods of the invention is performed, while allowing repeated times the steps of product production e.g. by repeated removal of harvestable parts of the plants of the invention and if necessary further processing of these parts to arrive at the product. It is also possible that the step of growing the plants of the invention is repeated and plants or harvestable parts are stored until the production of the product is then performed once for the accumulated plants or plant parts. Also, the steps of growing the plants and producing the product may be performed with an overlap in time, even simultaneously to a large extend or sequentially. Generally the plants are grown for some time before the product is produced.

In one embodiment the products produced by said methods of the invention are plant products such as, but not limited to, a foodstuff, feedstuff, a food supplement, feed supplement, fiber, cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical. Foodstuffs are regarded as compositions used for nutrition and/or for supplementing nutrition. Animal feedstuffs and animal feed supplements, in particular, are regarded as foodstuffs.

In another embodiment the inventive methods for the production are used to make agricultural products such as, but not limited to, plant extracts, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, oils, polymers, vitamins, and the like.

It is possible that a plant product consists of one or more agricultural products to a large extent.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a kit comprising the nucleic acid molecule, the vector, the host cell, the polypeptide, plant cell, the plant or plant tissue, the harvestable part, the propagation material and/or the compound and/or agonist identified according to the method of the invention.

The compounds of the kit of the present invention may be packaged in containers such as vials, optionally with/in buffers and/or solution. If appropriate, one or more of said components might be packaged in one and the same container. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of said components might be adsorbed to a solid support as, e.g. a nitrocellulose filter, a glas plate, a chip, or a nylon membrane or to the well of a micro titerplate. The kit can be used for any of the herein described methods and embodiments, e.g. for the production of the host cells, transgenic plants, detection of homologous sequences, identification of antagonists or agonists, as food or feed or as a supplement thereof or as supplement for the treating of plants, etc. Further, the kit can comprise instructions for the use of the kit for any of said embodiments. In one embodiment said kit comprises further a nucleic acid molecule encoding one or more of the aforementioned protein, a vector, a host cell, a plant cell or plant tissue or a plant. In another embodiment said kit comprises PCR primers to detect and discrimante the nucleic acid molecule to be reduced in the process of the invention, e.g. of the nucleic acid molecule of the invention.

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for the production of an agricultural composition providing the nucleic acid molecule for the use according to the process of the invention, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, the vector of the invention, or the polypeptide of the invention and formulating the nucleic acid molecule, the vector or the polypeptide of the invention in a form applicable as plant agricultural composition.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for the production of the plant culture composition comprising the steps of the method of the present invention; and formulating the compound identified in a form acceptable as agricultural composition.

Under “acceptable as agricultural composition” is understood, that such a composition is in agreement with the laws regulating the content of fungicides, plant nutrients, herbicides, etc. Preferably such a composition is without any harm for the protected plants and the animals (humans included) fed therewith. Said polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule or the genomic structure of the genes encoding said polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule of the invention.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of all of these publications and those references cited within those publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

It should also be understood that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the present invention and that numerous changes and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as limiting. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that various other embodiments, modifications and equivalents thereof, which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Sequencing and Full Length Assembly of Scenedesmus, Helianthus and Lemna HPPD Genes

Isolation of RNA and cDNA synthesis

Leaf tissue of Scenedesmus obliquus, Helianthus annus and Lemna paucicosata were harvested, frozen and grounded in liquid nitrogen and total RNA was extracted using an Ambion RNAqueous-Midi kit (AM1911, Ambion) with the Plant RNA Isolation Aid (AM9690, Ambion) as per manufacturer's recommendation. The last elution was done with 10 ul of elution solution. To validate the quality of the extracted RNA 1 uL of the final product was run on a Bioanalyzer 2100 using the RNA 6000 Nano kit with the Plant RNA Nano method. The final solution, containing purified RNA, was stored at −80° C. until library preparation.

To identify orthologe HPPD genes of Scenedesmus obliquus (Gottingen, Germany) degenerated PCR primer are defined from conserved regions of HPPD protein alignment. Forward primers for HPPD are generated from consensus sequence S-G-L-N-S-A/M/V-V-L-A, reverse primers are derived from consensus sequence C-G-G-F-G-K-G-N-F (Table X2). Based on the received HPPD gene sequence tags, protein coding sequence are completed by adapter PCR or TAIL PCR techniques as described by Liu and Whittier (1995, Genomics 25: 674-681) and Yuanxin et al. (2003 Nuc Acids Research 31: 1-7) or Spertini et al. (1999 Biotechniques 27: 308-314) on copy DNA or genomic DNA. This strategie resulted in Scendesmus HPPD full length SEQUENCE No. 1 and derived amino acid SEQUENCE ID No. 2.

TABLE 4 PCR primer for partial amplification of SoHPPD Primer name Primer sequence (5′-3′) So_Deg_HPPD_Fw WSNGGNYTNAAYWSNRYNGTNYTNGC So_Deg_HPPD_Rv RAARTTNCCYTTNCCRAANCCNCCRC

A similar strategy was used for Helianthus annuus HPPD sequence. Based on a EST fragments found in genebank (genebank ID: CD847425, BU029179), HPPD full length gene sequence were amplified by RACE PCR (18373-019 and 18374-058, life technologies) as per manufacturer recommendation.

For assembly of Lemna paucicostata HPPD gene, an RNA sequencing experiment was performed. RNA sequencing libraries were produced using TruSeq RNA Sample preparation kits V2 (RS-122-2001) from Illumina according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Briefly, 1 μg of total RNA was first purified twice on a poly-dT column. During the second elution step, RNA was fragmented and primed for cDNA synthesis. The material was reverse transcribed, RNA was removed and the second strand was produced. After rendering the ends of the fragment blunt, 3′ ends were adenylated and Illumina sequencing-specific bar-coded adaptors were ligated at both ends of the fragments. The DNA fragments bearing adaptors at both ends were enriched by a 15 cycle PCR amplification. Libraries are pooled prior to sequencing. The pooled libraries were first put on a flowcell using a TruSeq PE Cluster kit V3 (PE-401-3001) on the cBot and clusters are amplified on the device. Afterwards, the flowcell is transferred onto the Illumina Hiseq machine and the material on the flowcell is then sequenced using Illumina TruSeq SBS Kit V3 (FC-401-3001) as per manufacturer's recommendation.

The data produced by the Illumina Hiseq sequencer was first trimmed at both ends using a quality threshold of 15 using the FASTQC Quality Trimmer (http://www.bioinformatics.babraham.ac.uk/projects/fastqc/). These sequences were further analyzed to remove any Illumina adaptor sequences using CutAdapt (http://code.google.com/p/cutadapt/). Sequence reads were assembled using CLC bio algorithm (version 4.01). The HPPD full length gene sequence (SEQUENCE ID 7) was identified by performing a BLAST search with Arabidopsis thaliana HPPD sequence as query and the Lemna CLC bio assembly as database.

Example 2: Cloning of HPPD Encoding Genes and Mutants

All wild type HPPD encoding genes and mutants thereof were synthesized by an external service provider and subcloned into a modified pET24D (Novagen) expression vector resulting in N-terminally His-tagged expression constructs.

Example 3 Heterologous Expression and Purification of Recombinant Mutated HPPD Enzymes

Recombinant mutated HPPD enzymes are produced and overexpressed in E. coli Chemically competent BL21 (DE3) cells (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, USA) are transformed with pEXP5-NT/TOPO® (see EXAMPLE 2) or with other expression vectors according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Transformed cells are grown in autoinduction medium (ZYM 5052 supplemented with 100 μg/ml ampicillin) for 6 h at 37° C. followed by 24 h at 25° C.

At an OD600 (optical density at 600 nm) of 8 to 12, cells are harvested by centrifugation (8000×g). The cell pellet is resuspended in a lysis buffer (50 mM sodium phosphate buffer, 0.5 M NaCl, 10 mM Imidazole, pH 7.0) supplemented with complete EDTA free protease inhibitor mix (Roche-Diagnostics) and homogenized using an Avestin Press. The homogenate is cleared by centrifugation (40,000×g). His₆-tagged HPPD or mutant variants are purified by affinity chromatography on a Protino Ni-IDA 1000 Packed Column (MachereyNagel) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Purified HPPD or mutant variants are dialyzed against 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.0, supplemented with 10% glycerin and stored at −86° C. Protein content is determined according to Bradford using the Bio-Rad protein assay (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, USA). The purity of the enzyme preparation is estimated by SDS-PAGE.

Example 4: Assay for HPPD Activity

HPPD produces homogentisic acid and CO₂ from 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (4-HPP) and O₂. The activity assay for HPPD is based on the analysis of homogentisic acid by reversed phase HPLC.

The assay mixture can contain 150 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 50 mM L-ascorbic acid, 100 μM Catalase (Sigma-Aldrich), 1 μM FeSO₄ and 0.2 units of purified mutated HPPD enzyme in a total volume of 505 μl. 1 unit is defined as the amount of enzyme that is required to produce 1 nmol of HGA per minute at 20° C.

After a preincubation of 30 min the reaction is started by adding 4-HPP to a final concentration of 0.05 mM. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 45 min at room temperature. The reaction is stopped by the addition of 50 μl of 4.5 M phosphoric acid. The sample is filtered using a 0.2 μM pore size PVDF filtration device.

5 μl of the cleared sample is analyzed on an UPLC HSS T3 column (particle size 1.8 μm, dimensions 2.1×50 mm; Waters) by isocratic elution using 90% 20 mM NaH₂PO₄ pH 2.2, 10% methanol (v/v).

HGA is detected electrochemically at 750 mV (mode: DC; polarity: positive) and quantified by integrating peak areas (Empower software; Waters).

Inhibitors are dissolved in DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) to a concentration of 0.5 mM. From this stock solution serial five-fold dilutions are prepared in DMSO, which are used in the assay. The respective inhibitor solution accounts for 1% of the assay volume. Thus, final inhibitor concentrations range from 5 μM to 320 pM, respectively. Activities are normalized by setting the uninhibited enzyme activity to 100%. IC₅₀ values are calculated using non-linear regression.

Example 5: In Vitro Characterization of Mutated HPPD Enzymes

Using methods which are described in the above examples or well known in the art, purified, recombinant mutated HPPD enzymes are characterized with respect to their kinetic properties and sensitivity towards HPPD inhibiting herbicides. Apparent michaelis constants (K_(m)) and maximal reaction velocities (V_(max)) are calculated by non-linear regression with the software GraphPad Prism 5 (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, USA) using a substrate inhibition model. Apparent k_(cat) values are calculated from V_(max) assuming 100% purity of the enzyme preparation. Weighted means (by standard error) of K_(m) and IC₅₀ values are calculated from at least three independent experiments. The Cheng-Prusoff equation for competitive inhibition (Cheng, Y. C.; Prusoff, W. H. Biochem Pharmacol 1973, 22, 3099-3108) is used to calculate dissociation constants (K_(i)).

Field performance of the HPPD enzyme, which is used as a herbicide tolerance trait may depend not only on its lack of sensitivity towards HPPD inhibiting herbicides but also on its activity. To assess the potential performance of a herbicide tolerance trait a tolerance index (TI) is calculated using the following formula:

${TI} = \frac{k_{cat} \times K_{i}}{K_{m}}$

Easy comparison and ranking of each trait is enabled by normalizing tolerance indexes on Arabidopsis wild-type HPPD.

Examples of the data obtained in an in vitro assay are depicted in Table 5 and in Table 6.

TABLE 5 Determination of michaelis constants (K_(m)) for 4-HPP, turnover numbers (k_(cat)), catalytic efficiencies (k_(cat)/K_(m)), dissociation constants (K_(i)) and tolerance indexes (TI) for various HPPD enzymes. K_(m) K_(i) K_(i) [μM] k_(cat) k_(cat)/K_(m) [nM] [nM] TI TI Enzyme (4-HPP) [s⁻¹] [μM⁻¹ s⁻¹] (Inhibitor 1)* (Inhibitor 3)* (Inhibitor 1)* (Inhibitor 3)* Arabidopsis 13 12.9 1 0.95 29 0.95E−3 23.8E−3 Scenedesmus 160 6 0.038 11 110 0.42E−3 4.41E−3 Scendesmus 89 17 0.191 46 580 8.85E−3  110E−3 Short *HPPD inhibiting herbicides used in this example are [3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-4-yl)-2-methyl-4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl]-(5-hydroxy-1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone (Inhibitor 1) and (N-[2,6-dichloro-3-(8-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-thiopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-7-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-methanesulfonamide) (Inhibitor 3).

TABLE 6 Normalized tolerance indexes of various HPPD enzymes. TI TI TI TI TI TI TI TI TI HPPD Enzyme Inhibitor Inhibitor Inhibitor Inhibitor Inhibitor Inhibitor Inhibitor Inhibitor Inhibitor (SEQ ID NO:) 1 * 2* 3* 4* 5* 6* 7* 8* 9* Arabidopsis 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (Seq ID: 42) Scenedesmus 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 (Seq ID: 2) Scenedesmus 9.3 0.0 4.6 1.4 1.3 6.6 0.4 0.9 1.2 Short (Seq ID: 4) SoHPPD L367V, 3.6 0.0 1.0 0.3 0.3 2.1 0.4 0.7 0.4 I375L (short) SoHPPD F39W, 1.2 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.2 L367V, I375L (short) SoHPPD E345Q 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.2 1.2 0.1 0.5 0.2 (short) SoHPPD K326E, 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 E345Q (short) SoHPPD A318P, 4.6 0.2 2.0 0.6 0.5 3.3 0.6 0.8 0.7 A319P (short) SoHPPD V251A 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 (short) SoHPPD Q317M 13.8 0.6 4.1 1.3 0.9 8.7 0.9 0.8 1.1 (short) SoHPPD Q317H 6.1 0.2 2.0 0.6 0.4 4.1 1.4 0.5 0.7 (short) SoHPPD E379Q 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.2 (short) SoHPPD A318R, 12.9 0.8 2.5 1.0 0.7 8.6 0.7 1.2 1.2 L350M (short) SoHPPD Q317H, 11.3 0.4 3.5 1.4 0.9 7.0 1.3 1.0 0.9 A318G, E345Q (short) SoHPPD F363I 16.0 0.8 1.7 0.3 0.6 no inhi- 1.7 no inhi- no inhi- (short) bition bition bition SoHPPD I419V 0.8 0.1 0.9 0.3 0.1 1.5 0.2 0.3 0.3 (short) SoHPPD I455V 3.3 0.1 1.4 0.5 0.7 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.4 SoHPPD H306K 1.6 0.1 0.8 0.3 0.2 1.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 (short) SoHPPD F363I 4.0 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.4 61.1 0.2 no inhi- 2.7 bition SoHPPD A318R, 3.8 0.1 1.0 0.3 0.2 1.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 L350M SoHPPD Q317H, 1.9 0.1 1.0 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 A318G, E345Q SoHPPD Q317H 1.9 0.1 0.8 0.3 0.2 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 SoHPPD L367V, 1.2 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.1 I375L SoHPPD V251A, 11.5 0.7 1.1 0.0 0.3 18.3 0.1 0.2 n.d. H306R, Q317L, A318P, G321P, K331E, L350M (short) SoHPPD R327G, 4.0 0.2 1.2 0.0 0.3 2.7 0.5 0.5 n.d. E421D (short) SoHPPD E345Q, 2.1 0.1 0.8 0.0 0.2 1.2 0.3 0.3 n.d. K326D (short) SoHPPD E345Q, 1.8 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.2 0.3 n.d. K326Q (short) *HPPD inhibiting herbicides used in this example are [3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl)-2-methyl-4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl]-(5-hydroxy-1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone (Inhibitor 1), 2-(4-methylsulfonyl-2-nitro-benzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (Inhibitor 2), N-[2,6-dichloro-3-(8-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-thiopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-7-yl)phenyl] -N-methyl-methanesulfonamide (Inhibitor 3), 7-[2-ethylsulfonyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5,5-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-thiopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-8-ol (Inhibitor 4), N-[2,6-dichloro-3-(8-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-thiopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-7-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-acetamide (Inhibitor 5), 2-methyl-N-(4-methyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3,4-bis(methylsulfonyl)benzamide (Inhibitor 6), 2,4-dichloro-6-fluoro-3-methylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide (Inhibitor 7), 2,6-dichloro-3-ethylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide (Inhibitor 8), 2,4-dichloro-3-ethylsulfinyl-6-fluoro-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide (Inhibitor 9), n.d. not determined.

A number of conclusions can be derived from the data in Table 6. The reference HPPD enzyme SEQ ID NO:42 was included as a comparative control in a representative number of experiments and the TI values given for various mutant HPPD enzymes based on the amino acid sequence of Scenedesmus obliquus are normalized to the value of the benchmark enzyme (SEQ ID NO:42). The properties of HPPD mutants indicated that certain amino acid substitutions within the coding sequence provided significant improvements relative to HPPD SEQ ID NO: 42 in respect to the tolerance indexes against HPPD-inhibiting herbicides.

It can be seen from the above example that an HPPD enzyme can be selected as one which is tolerant to different classes of HPPD-inhibiting herbicides as it can be observed that the tolerance index of this enzyme exceeded the tolerance index of the benchmark enzyme. For example, the mutant with amino acid glutamine 317 exchanged to methionine is useful as a gene conferring herbicide tolerance in the present invention because the in vitro tolerance index was improved compared to the benchmark enzyme.

In detail, it can be observed that the mutant HPPD enzyme Q317M had a 13.8-fold tolerance to Inhibitor 1, 4.1-fold to Inhibitor 3, and 8.7-fold to Inhibitor 6. In addition, the polynucleotide comprising the sequence of Scenedesmus HPPD with glutamine 317 exchanged to methionine, alanine 318 substituted by glycine and glutamate 345 mutated to glutamin conferred resistance to Inhibitor 1, Inhibitor 3, Inhibitor 4, Inhibitor 6 and Inhibitor 7 and hence is a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention.

It can be further seen that the polynucleotide that encodes a variant of the Scenedesmus HPPD short (SEQ ID NO:4) with amino acid phenylalanine 363 exchanged to isoleucine is of particular interest because this HPPD enzyme showed an excellent tolerance against HPPD Inhibitor 1 and was not inhibited by Inhibitor 6, Inhibitor 8 and Inhibitor 9 tested in the present invention. Thus, this enzyme is highly tolerant to HPPD-inhibiting substances and is especially preferred to generate plants that are resistant to different classes of HPPD-inhibiting herbicides. In addition to that, a variant of the full-length sequence of Scenedesmus obliquus (SEQ ID NO: 2) in which phenylalanine 363 was exchanged by isoleucine resulted in an increased tolerance to Inhibitor 1 (4-fold), Inhibitor 6 (61.1-fold), Inhibitor 8 (no inhibition), and Inhibitor 9 (2,7.fold) compared to the reference Enzyme SEQ ID NO: 42.

In addition, a variant of the Scenedesmus HPPD short (SEQ ID NO:4) comprising the combined mutation of alanine at position 318 to arginine together with the exchange of leucine at position 350 to methionine resulted in a significant improvement of the HPPD enzyme because the mutated HPPD enzyme had an improved behavior against HPPD-inhibiting herbicides tested in the present invention and its tolerance index increased 12.9-fold for Inhibitor 1 and 8.6-fold for Inhibitor 6 compared to the reference HPPD SEQ ID NO:42.

Furthermore, a polynucleotide which encodes a variant of the Scenedesmus HPPD short (SEQ ID NO:4) where glutamine 317 exchanged to histidine, alanine 318 substituted by glycine, and glutamate 345 mutated to glutamine can be selected as a transgene that encodes an inhibitor-resistant HPPD because it is found that the tolerance index of the mutant was significantly improved to Inhibitor 1 (11.3-fold tolerance) and Inhibitor 6 (7-fold tolerance) tested in the present invention.

In addition, it can be seen from the results depicted in Table 8 that the combined substitutions of several amino acids (valine 251 to alanine, histidine 306 to arginine, glutamine 317 to leucine, alanine 318 to proline, glycine 321 to proline, lysin 331 to glutamate and leucine 350 to methionine) in a variant of the Scenedesmus HPPD short (SEQ ID NO:4) provided a significant improvement compared to the benchmark enzyme (SEQ ID NO:42). In detail, the combined mutation resulted in a 11.5-fold tolerance to Inhibitor 1 and a 18.2-fold tolerance to Inhibitor 6. Thus, this mutant can be selected as a mutant which encodes an inhibitor-resistant HPPD and is useful for generating herbicide tolerant plants.

Example 6: Engineering Herbicide Tolerant Plants Having Additional HPPD-Encoding Sequences

Various methods for the production of stably transformed plants are well known in the art. HPPD-inhibiting herbicide tolerant soybean (Glycine max) or corn (Zea mays) plants can be produced by a method described by Olhoft et al. (US patent 2009/0049567). Briefly, HPPD encoding polynucleotides are cloned into a binary vector using standard cloning techniques as described by Sambrook et al. (Molecular cloning (2001) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press). The final vector construct contains an HPPD encoding sequence flanked by a promoter sequence (e.g. the ubiquitin promoter (PcUbi) sequence) and a terminator sequence (e.g. the nopaline synthase terminator (NOS) sequence) and a resistance marker gene cassette (e.g. AHAS) (FIG. 2). Optionally, the HPPD gene can provide the means of selection.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is used to introduce the DNA into soybean's axillary meristem cells at the primary node of seedling explants. After inoculation and co-cultivation with Agrobacteria, the explants are transferred to shoot induction medium without selection for one week. The explants are subsequently transferred to shoot induction medium with 1-3 μM imazapyr (Arsenal) for 3 weeks to select for transformed cells. Explants with healthy callus/shoot pads at the primary node are then transferred to shoot elongation medium containing 1-3 μM imazapyr until a shoot elongates or the explant dies. After regeneration, transformants are transplanted to soil in small pots, placed in growth chambers (16 hr day/8 hr night; 25° C. day/23° C. night; 65% relative humidity; 130-150 mE m−2 s−1) and subsequently tested for the presence of the T-DNA via Taqman analysis. After a few weeks, healthy, transgenic positive, single copy events are transplanted to larger pots and allowed to grow in the growth chamber.

Transformation of corn plants is done by a method described by McElver and Singh (WO 2008/124495). Plant transformation vector constructs containing HPPD sequences are introduced into maize immature embryos via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transformed cells are selected in selection media supplemented with 0.5-1.5 μM imazethapyr for 3-4 weeks. Transgenic plantlets are regenerated on plant regeneration media and rooted afterwards. Transgenic plantlets are subjected to TaqMan analysis for the presence of the transgene before being transplanted to potting mixture and grown to maturity in greenhouse.

Arabidopsis thaliana is transformed with HPPD sequences by floral dip method as decribed by McElver and Singh (WO 2008/124495). Transgenic Arabidopsis plants are subjected to TaqMan analysis for analysis of the number of integration loci.

Transformation of Oryza sativa (rice) are done by protoplast transformation as decribed by Peng et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,529)

T0 or T1 transgenic plant of soybean, corn, rice and Arabidopsis thaliana containing HPPD sequences are tested for improved tolerance to “HPPD-inhibiting herbicides” in germination assays or greenhouse studies (EXAMPLE 7).

Example 7: Demonstration of Herbicide Tolerance

Transgenic T1 or T2 plants of soybean, corn, rice or Arabidopsis expressing heterologous HPPD enzymes are tested for tolerance against HPPD-inhibiting herbicides, including [3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl)-2-methyl-4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl]-(5-hydroxy-1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone, 2-(4-methylsulfonyl-2-nitro-benzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione, N-[2,6-dichloro-3-(8-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-thiopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-7-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-methanesulfonamide, 7-[2-ethylsulfonyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5,5-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-thiopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-8-ol, N-[2,6-dichloro-3-(8-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-thiopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-7-yl)phenyl]-N-methyl-acetamide, 2-methyl-N-(4-methyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3,4-bis(methylsulfonyl)benzamide, 2,4-dichloro-6-fluoro-3-methylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide, 2,6-dichloro-3-ethylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide, 2,4-dichloro-3-ethylsulfinyl-6-fluoro-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide, (1R,5S)-3-[2-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-3-carbonyl]bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-4-one, 2-chloro-3-methylsulfanyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and 2-[8-chloro-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-quinoxaline-2-carbonyl]cyclohexane-1,3-dione, in greenhouse experiments.

For the pre-emergence treatment, the herbicides are applied directly after sowing by means of finely distributing nozzles. The containers are irrigated gently to promote germination and growth and subsequently covered with transparent plastic hoods until the plants have rooted. This cover causes uniform germination of the test plants, unless this has been impaired by the herbicides.

For post emergence treatment, the test plants are first grown to a height of 3 to 15 cm, depending on the plant habit, and only then treated with the herbicides. For this purpose, the test plants are either sown directly and grown in the same containers, or they are first grown separately and transplanted into the test containers a few days prior to treatment.

For testing of T0 plants, cuttings can be used. In the case of soybean plants, an optimal shoot for cutting is about 7.5 to 10 cm tall, with at least two nodes present. Each cutting is taken from the original transformant (mother plant) and dipped into rooting hormone powder (indole-3-butyric acid, IBA). The cutting is then placed in oasis wedges inside a bio-dome. Wild type cuttings are also taken simultaneously to serve as controls. The cuttings are kept in the bio-dome for 5-7 days and then transplanted to pots and then acclimated in the growth chamber for two more days. Subsequently, the cuttings are transferred to the greenhouse, acclimated for approximately 4 days, and then subjected to spray tests as indicated. Depending on the species, the plants are kept at 10-25° C. or 20-35° C. The test period extends over 3 weeks. During this time, the plants are tended and their response to the individual treatments is evaluated. Herbicide injury evaluations are taken at 2 and 3 weeks after treatment. Plant injury is rated on a scale of 0 to 9, 0 being no injury and 9 being complete death.

Tolerance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides can also be assessed in Arabidopsis. In this case transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants are assayed for improved tolerance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in 48-well plates (germination assay). Seeds are surface sterilized by stirring for 5 min in ethanol+water (70+30 by volume), rinsing one time with ethanol+water (70+30 by volume) and two times with a sterile, deionized water. The seeds are resuspended in 0.1% agar dissolved in water (w/v). Four to five seeds per well are plated on solid nutrient medium consisting of half-strength Murashige Skoog nutrient solution, pH 5.8 (Murashige and Skoog (1962) Physiologia Plantarum 15: 473-497). Compounds are dissolved in dimethylsulfoxid (DMSO) and added to the medium prior solidification (final DMSO concentration 0.1%). Multi well plates are incubated in a growth chamber at 22° C., 75% relative humidity and 110 μmol Phot*m−2*s−1 with 14:10 h light:dark photoperiod. Growth inhibition is evaluated seven to ten days after seeding in comparison to wild type plants. Tolerance factor is calculated by dividing the plant growth IC₅₀ value of transgenic plants containing a HPPD sequence by that of wildtype plants.

Additionally, T1 and T2 transgenic Arabidopsis plants can be tested for improved tolerance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in greenhouse studies. Herbicide injury scoring is done 2-3 weeks after treatment and is rated on a scale of 0 to 100%, 0% being no injury and 100% being complete death.

TABLE 7 Tolerance factor of HPPD overexpressing Arabidopsis plants based on germination in the presence of [3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl)- 2-methyl-4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl]-(5-hydroxy-1-methyl-pyrazol- 4-yl)methanone. The tolerance factor is a mean value from 5 T2 events evaluated in parallel and non-transgenic event is set to 1. Arabidopsis Tolerance factor overexpression line Inhibitor 1* SoHPPD (SEQ ID NO: 2) 92 SoHPPD (SEQ ID NO: 4) 82 SoHPPD Q317H (short) 100 SoHPPD_F363I (short) 1000 SoHPPD Q317H, A318G, 50 E345Q (short) SoHPPD I419V (short) 100 SoHPPD I455V 7

Compared to the non-transgenic control, the results demonstrate that all plants comprising a polynucleotide encoding mutated versions of Scenedesmus HPPD had an increased tolerance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicide.

It can be seen from the results depicted in Table 7 that the substitution of isoleucine at position 455 in SEQ ID NO:2 with valine provided a 7-fold tolerance to Inhibitor 1. In addition, the corresponding amino acid exchange in the short version of Scenedesmus obliquus HPPD (1419V) resulted in a 100-fold tolerance to Inhibitor 1 and those mutants are of particular interest of the present invention.

Furthermore, a variant of SoHPPD-short (SEQ ID NO:4) comprising the combined mutation of glutamine 317 to histidine, alanine 318 exchanged by glycine and glutamate 345 substituted with glutamine resulted in a 50-fold tolerance to Inhibitor 1 compared to untransformed wildtype plants. The single substitution of glutamine 317 by histidine was found to be highly tolerant to the tested HPPD inhibiting herbicide resulting in a tolerance index of 100.

In addition, the highest score of tolerance was assessed for a variant of SoHPPD-short (SEQ ID NO:4), the single mutant carrying the amino acid substitution phenylalanine 363 exchanged by isoleucine. This mutant is of particular interest as the tolerance factor to Inhibitor 1 is 1000-fold improved compared to the non-transgenic control plants. Therefore it is evident that transgenic Arabidopsis lines transformed with polynucleotides encoding variants of Scenedesmus HPPD are particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention as those plants had an increased tolerance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides and can be used to generate HPPD-inhibiting herbicide tolerant crop plants.

Transgenic T1 Arabidopsis plants were sprayed with the indicated amount of HPPD inhibiting herbicide. The T1 spray application is a fast method to evaluate the potential of transgenic traits even though a segregating population and only one event of respective traits is tested. Exemplary results are depicted in FIG. 3 and it can be seen that in comparison to non-transgenic control plants, all variants of Scenedesmus HPPD resulted in a good to excellent tolerance to the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide tested.

Several conclusions can be derived from FIG. 3. Scenedesmus HPPD containing the combined mutation of glutamine 317 to histidine, alanine 318 exchanged by glycine and glutamate 345 substituted with glutamine in SEQ ID NO: 2 (short) and SEQ ID NO:4 was found to be highly resistant to the tested HPPD inhibitor at all application rates.

Furthermore, a good tolerance to Inhibitor 1 was found for the variant of Scenedesmus HPPD carrying the combined mutation alanine 318 exchanged by glycine and leucine 350 substituted with methionine. An especially preferred embodiment refers to the Scenedesmus HPPD variant in which phenylalanine 363 is exchanged by isoleucine as this mutant is highly tolerant to Inhibitor 1 at the highest application rate and can be used to generate HPPD-inhibiting herbicide tolerant crop plants.

Transgenic T2 Arabidopsis plants were sprayed with a range of doses from 1.56-25 g/ha of different HPPD-inhibiting herbicides and injury evaluations were taken two weeks after treatment (FIG. 4). As depicted in Table 8, control plants were severely injured by all doses of herbicides applied, with at least 58% of leaf material being damaged at the lowest application rate and 100% leaf damage at the second application rate.

Compared to the control, plants expressing mutated variants of Scenedesmus HPPD were highly tolerant to Inhibitor 1 because all traits and events had no damage (0-8%) at the two lowest application rates and less than 20% of leaf material being damaged after application of 25 g/ha. A similar rating is found for Inhibitor 2 because the tested transgenic events did not show leaf injury after spray application of 1.56 g/ha and 6.25 g/ha, respectively. Using the highest application rate (25 g ai/ha) of Inhibitor 2 resulted in leaf injury with an average damage of 34% for the mutant expressing Scenedesmus HPPD Q317H whereas the mutant 1419V was more severely damaged resulting in an average injury rate of 75%.

The variant of the Scenedesmus HPPD of SEQ ID NO: 4 comprising the single amino acid substitution phenylalanine 363 substituted by isoleucine is a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention as this mutant was highly resistant to all inhibitors tested. In addition to the outstanding performance of SoHPPD F363I regarding Inhibitor 1 and Inhibitor 2, this particular mutant is highly tolerant to Inhibitors 7 and 11 showing no damage at the highest application rate for the former one and only an average damage of 10% for the latter one, respectively. It can be seen (Table 8 and FIG. 4) that short SoHPPD F363I is particularly useful to generate plants resistant to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides. The corresponding pictures can be seen in FIG. 4.

TABLE 8 Table 8: Greenhouse testing of transgenic Arabidopsis plants (T2) comprising polynucleotide sequences encoding mutated variants of Scenedesmus HPPD short (SEQ ID NO: 4). Injury evaluations were taken two weeks after herbicide treatment. Representative results are shown in FIG. 4. 14 DAT SoHPD SoHPPD SoHPPD Q317H I419V F363I Event compound g ai/ha WT B C G H B C Inhibitor 1* 25 100 18 10 13 13 0 0 6.25 100 0 0 8 0 0 0 1.56 75 0 0 5 0 0 0 Inhibitor 2* 25 100 33 35 95 58 3 0 6.25 100 0 3 0 8 0 0 1.56 58 0 0 0 5 0 5 Inhibitor 7* 25 100 78 73 40 93 0 0 6.25 100 18 8 28 53 5 0 1.56 88 0 0 0 5 0 0 Inhibitor 11* 25 100 100 100 100 100 15 5 6.25 100 99 79 83 100 0 0 1.56 100 40 15 58 43 0 8 

1. A method for producing a transgenic plant with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant, comprising transforming a plant cell or a plant cell nucleus or a plant tissue with a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of: (a) an isolated polynucleotide encoding a mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof; (b) an isolated polynucleotide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof; (c) an isolated polynucleotide, which, as a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from a mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof and confers an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a part thereof; (d) an isolated polynucleotide having 30% or more identity with the sequence of a polynucleotide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof and conferring an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a part thereof; (e) an isolated polynucleotide which hybridizes with an isolated polynucleotide of (a) to (c) under stringent hybridization conditions and confers an increased herbicide tolerance or resistance as compared to a corresponding, non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a transgenic plant or a part thereof; and regenerating a transgenic plant from that transformed plant cell nucleus, plant cell or plant tissue with increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, wherein the variant of a HPPD polypeptide has a substitution of one or more amino acids corresponding to or at positions 30, 39, 54, 57, 84, 210, 212, 223, 243, 247, 249, 251, 264, 291, 306, 317, 318, 319, 321, 326, 327, 331, 341, 342, 345, 350, 363, 367, 373, 374, 375, 379, 405, 407, 410, 412, 414, 419, 421, or 422 of SEQ ID NO:4.
 2. An isolated and/or recombinantly produced and/or synthetic nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding the mutated HPPD polypeptide comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof; (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a variant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof, (c) a nucleic acid molecule, which, as a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from a variant HPPD polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof, and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant or a part thereof; (d) a nucleic acid molecule having 30% or more identity with the nucleic acid molecule sequence of a polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid molecule of a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, or 31, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof, and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant or a part thereof; (e) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mutated HPPD polypeptide having 30% or more identity with the amino acid sequence of the HPPD polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, or 32, and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant or a part thereof; (f) nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes with a nucleic acid molecule of (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) under stringent hybridization conditions and confers increased herbicide tolerance or resistance, as compared to a corresponding, non-transformed, wild type plant cell, a plant or a part thereof, wherein the variant of a HPPD polypeptide has a substitution of one or more amino acids corresponding to or at positions 30, 39, 54, 57, 84, 210, 212, 223, 243, 247, 249, 251, 264, 291, 306, 317, 318, 319, 321, 326, 327, 331, 341, 342, 345, 350, 363, 367, 373, 374, 375, 379, 405, 407, 410, 412, 414, 419, 421, or 422 of SEQ ID NO:4.
 3. A nucleic acid construct which comprises and confers the expression of said nucleic acid molecule of claim 2, comprising one or more regulatory elements.
 4. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 2. 5. A mutated HPPD polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 2. 6. A transgenic plant cell nucleus, transgenic plant cell, transgenic plant or part thereof comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 2. 7. The transgenic plant cell nucleus, transgenic plant cell, transgenic plant or part thereof of claim 6 derived from a monocotyledonous plant.
 8. The transgenic plant cell nucleus, transgenic plant cell, transgenic plant or part thereof of claim 6 derived from a dicotyledonous plant.
 9. The transgenic plant cell nucleus, transgenic plant cell, transgenic plant or part thereof of claim 6, wherein the corresponding plant is selected from the group consisting of corn (maize), wheat, rye, oat, triticale, rice, barley, soybean, peanut, cotton, oil seed rape, including canola and winter oil seed rape, manihot, pepper, sunflower, sugar cane, sugar beet, flax, borage, safflower, linseed, primrose, rapeseed, turnip rape, tagetes, solanaceous plants comprising potato, tobacco, eggplant, tomato; Vicia species, pea, alfalfa, coffee, cacao, tea, Salix species, oil palm, coconut, perennial grass, forage crops and Arabidopsis thaliana.
 10. The transgenic plant cell nucleus, transgenic plant cell, transgenic plant or part thereof of claim 6, wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of corn, soy, oil seed rape, sunflower, cotton, sugar cane, sugar beet, wheat and rice.
 11. The transgenic plant part of claim 6 comprising seed, pollen, or plant tissue.
 12. A method for controlling undesired vegetation at a plant cultivation site, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing, at said site, a plant that comprises at least one nucleic acid molecule of claim 2, or a homolog or functional equivalent thereof, which is resistant or tolerant to a HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and b) applying to said site an effective amount of said herbicide.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the HPPD-inhibiting herbicide is an anellated heterocyclic compound.
 14. (canceled)
 15. A method for growing the plant of claim 6 while controlling weeds in the vicinity of said plant, said method comprising the steps of: a) growing said plant; and b) applying a herbicide composition comprising a HPPD-inhibiting herbicide to the plant and weeds, wherein the herbicide normally inhibits the HPPD enzyme, at a level of the herbicide that would inhibit the growth of a corresponding wild-type plant.
 16. A combination useful for weed control, comprising (a) a nucleic acid molecule of claim 2, which polynucleotide is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) a HPPD inhibiting herbicide.
 17. A process for preparing a combination useful for weed control, comprising (a) providing a nucleic acid molecule of claim 2, which nucleic acid molecule is capable of being expressed in a plant to thereby provide to that plant tolerance to a HPPD inhibiting herbicide; and (b) providing a HPPD inhibiting herbicide.
 18. The process according to claim 17, wherein said step of providing a nucleic acid molecule comprises providing a plant containing said nucleic acid molecule.
 19. The process according to claim 17, wherein said step of providing a nucleic acid molecule comprises providing a seed containing the nucleic acid molecule.
 20. The process according to claim 19, wherein said process further comprises a step of applying the HPPD inhibiting herbicide to the seed.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The method according to claim 13, wherein the anellated heterocyclic compound is selected from substituted pyridines, pyrazolone, isoxazole, triketone derivative herbicides, N-heterocycyl-arylcarboxamides, bicycloarycarboxamides, benzamides, heteroarylcarboxamides, and pyridylcarboxamides. 